Episode Details

20 Years of Service: A Conversation with Sergeant Shade McMillian In this episode, Javonni Hampton interviews Sergeant Shade McMillian of the Leon County Sheriff's Office (LCSO). With two decades of experience, McMillian reflects on a career that spanned from school resource officer to the Public Information Officer during the COVID-19 pandemic, and eventually to his current role as Agency Recruiter. He shares intimate details about the personal sacrifices and professional triumphs that define a life in uniform, offering a rare "behind the curtain" look at the evolution of modern policing. -- Sergeant McMillian discusses his "unorthodox" path to the LCSO, starting as a reserve deputy in 2005 after being inspired to serve by the events of September 11, 2001. -- A look at the various hats a deputy wears, including the rewarding nature of being a School Resource Deputy at Fairview Middle School and the intensity of the "HEAT" human trafficking unit. -- The challenges of serving as a Public Information Officer (PIO) during 2020, navigating office closures, and communicating vital safety data to the public during a global pandemic. -- The transition from active investigations back to patrol and eventually into recruiting, driven by a desire to mentor and teach the next generation. -- An honest discussion on the importance of communication in policing and why seeing the human being behind the uniform is essential for community trust. -- A "speed round" of fun insights where Shade reveals his preference for coffee over energy drinks and night shifts over days. +++++++ This is episode 008. Find more information here: https://www.leoncountyso.com/