By Madeline Otten
Correspondent
Where do you live?
“I live at Lake Monticello.”
How long have you lived in Fluvanna? What brought you here?
“I grew up all over the world since my father was in the Army. I was born in Louisiana and lived in Germany for about 5 years; we moved there twice. When my father retired, we moved to Charlottesville to be closer to family and then I got married in 1987. We then moved to Fluvanna County in 2002 since the real estate was btter.”
Tell us about your family.
“I live with my wife Sandy my daughter Brandi, and three dogs, Luna, Bandit, and Remy. My sister and mom live in Charlottesville.”
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
“I thought about doing architecture. I took mechanical drawing in high school and I really enjoyed it.”
What was your very first job?
“My very first job was a cashier, bagger, and stocker at Reid’s Supermarket on the Downtown Mall. It burned down, but I was there for about two years and switched to Kroger.”
What do you do for a living?
“I am a sergeant for the University of Virginia Police Department and have been involved in law enforcement for 33 years.”
What is one of your pet peeves?
“Waiting for workers to work on your house without a call or even showing up.”
What do you like to do in your spare time?
“I like to go to movies and practice at the shooting range in Glen Allen.”
Books or movies? Why?
“Movies because for myself it is hard to find time to sit down and read a full book and movies are quicker.”
Favorite movie?
“With recent movies, it would have to be Avenger’s End Game, but I enjoy a lot of movies. I like action, Sci-Fi, war and history movies.”
What pivotal decision helped to shape your life?
“It would have to be deciding to go into law enforcement. I took an interest in it since I was around it all the time. My father was in the Army and my uncle was a state trooper.”
Tell us about a way you have changed over the years.
“Well I’ve gotten older for one, but I’m slowing down and taking time to enjoy life more.”
What has surprised you about your life?
“The amount of animals that have been in our house since moving to Fluvanna. We started with three dogs, Belle, Brittany, and Tinkerbell. Once Belle passed away we added a new pug, Bella, and in the midst got three hamsters, Windi, Lola, Demon. We also at one point had a hedgehog, Milo, and a chinchilla named Baxter. We also fostered our dog now, Bandit, who was from Green Dogs Unleashed and then we adopted him. So now it’s our three dogs, Luna, Bandit, and my daughter’s pug, Remy. And to top it off, countless fish.”
What’s one thing you hope to accomplish before you die?
“I want to retire in peace and work part-time, so I have more time to do more things that I enjoy.
Tell us about your proudest moment.
“My wonderful, hardworking daughter was born in October of 1995. She graduated high school and is continuing her education to get her bachelor’s through Mary Baldwin. I am so proud of her.”
Favorite spot in Fluvanna County?
“When the weather is nice, my family and I like going to Papa Jim’s. I also enjoy going to the lake’s beaches.”
What quote or saying do you connect with most? Why do you like it?
“If you don’t know if you should do it, don’t do it.”
