Testimonies:  

FTO Deputy McCurry:

“From a young age I had an interest in Law Enforcement and upon starting high school I learned about the explorer program that the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office had to offer. I remember being excited to begin this program. Once I attended the first meeting, I instantly knew I was going to enjoy this journey, I was surrounded by people that had similar interests, and this made it easier to connect with my fellow classmates. Till today (about 16 years later) I have maintained a friendship with most of my classmates from the Explorer program.

Looking back at my time with the program it is neat seeing how beneficial the program was with being a bridge to starting a career in Law Enforcement and not only it being a career but having the opportunity to serve at home in Barrow County. The program really laid a great foundation with the basics of Law Enforcement, everything from the how to conduct traffic stops, clearing rooms, handcuffing techniques, searching people for contraband and serving the community. This really hit hard with me because this is and always has been my home and being able to get out and do community projects was and still is enjoyable. I had found another family with everyone in the program. That was something I loved with my time in the program the Sheriff’s office really felt like a family.

I was able to start friendships with Deputies that were employed with the Sheriff’s Office and maintained friendships over the year and this really helped me when I had made the decision in my adult life to pursue a career in Law Enforcement just having already been made familiar with people in the Sheriff’s Office and already feeling like home made me more comfortable applying for a position in the Sheriff’s office because I already knew everyone.

The foundation the explorer program laid is what really solidified that I was ultimately going to have a career in Law Enforcement. I am forever grateful as it so far has led me to a twelve-year career and counting. My career has led me to several different positions in the Sheriff’s office ranging from the jail, to the courthouse, to patrol and a unit called the Civil unit. You could say this program has really led me down a path of a great career, the opportunity to meet some of the most amazing people I have met, and have another family that I know I will have for the rest of my life.”

SPC Salcedo (Current UNG Police Academy Cadet):

As a student at the University of North Georgia (UNG), a recruit at UNG’s Public Safety Academy and a soldier in the Army National Guard, I can confidently say that the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Program has helped me immensely since I first joined the program my junior year of high school. The program’s advisors—Barrow County sheriff’s deputies who also serve as school resource officers—helped me and many others stay out of trouble both at school and at home. In plain terms, the program and its deputies helped shape me into the adult I am today. Without their care, support, and willingness to go above and beyond for students like me, I truly don’t know where I’d be right now. Throughout high school, the program gave me a clear path toward my dream of working in law enforcement. The deputies were always eager to teach us the ins and outs of policing and anything law enforcement related. They gave students a safe space to escape difficult home lives by offering a positive, meaningful extracurricular environment—one filled with helpful, humorous, and supportive mentors who provided life advice, guidance on relationships, school support, and who genuinely cared for the students they interact with on a daily basis. The explorers program also focused heavily on hands-on training and classroom instruction rooted in the Georgia code. We learned not only about the legal system, but how it applied to our everyday lives. The program encouraged personal growth and gave us countless opportunities to better ourselves—academically, and professionally. In addition to regular training, the explorers program prepared us for a regional law enforcement competition known as Winterfest. Held annually in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Winterfest brings together Explorer posts from across the Southeast to compete in real-life law enforcement scenarios such as building searches, traffic stops, felony warrant arrests, and active shooter response.

Preparing for Winterfest pushed us to work as a team under pressure, refine our tactics, and apply everything we had learned in realistic, high-stakes simulations. It taught us not just technical skills, but also leadership, communication, and decision-making under stress—skills that have helped me in both my military and law enforcement training. It also played a big role for my military career. The skills I learned in the program such as room-clearing techniques translated directly into my Army training. That early experience gave me an edge in the field and allowed me to help fellow soldiers who were still learning those fundamentals.

Now, as a police academy recruit and university student, their support hasn’t stopped. The deputies continue to be a major influence in my life. They’ve helped me navigate the police academy application process, connected me with the right people, and offered countless tips on what to expect in the academy and in the profession overall. They’ve shown me how to understand and apply the law, how to think like an officer, and how to excel in both my studies and training. Academically, they’ve even helped me with criminal justice research papers—teaching me how to cite legal sources correctly, interpret legal language, and clearly articulate law in writing. They’ve shared personal stories and experiences that have shaped my understanding of what it truly means to serve and protect. Even to this day, the sheriff’s deputies continue to offer advice on both personal and professional matters. Their support is ongoing, and their impact on my life is immeasurable. The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office Explorers Program didn’t just help me through high school—it’s still helping me through college, my military service, and my journey into a lifelong career in law enforcement.

Former Explorer Cadet Garrett:

Being part of the Explorers program helped me grow as a leader. I gained valuable experience working with others in high-pressure situations, built strong friendships, and developed a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system.

Current Explorer:

Before joining the Explorer Program, I felt lost and unsure of my future. I knew I had an interest in serving, but no real direction or confidence. The program changed that. It gave me structure, discipline, and mentors who truly cared. I learned how to lead, how to serve my community, and most importantly how to believe in myself. It wasn’t just about learning police work. It was really about helping me grow as a person. Thanks to the Explorer Program, I found purpose and a path I’m proud to follow.