Having multiple assorted talents and being able to use them together to create a career of helping others is something only some are able to pull off successfully.

Sam Winchester has multiple interests that he uses as a detective at the Warren County Sherriff’s Office in the criminal investigation division.

“I investigate all crimes from basic burglary up to murder cases,” Winchester said.

He is one of the primary boat operators for the sheriff’s office meaning whenever a river or water rescue needs to take place, he is called to assist. That includes patrolling the areas that were underwater during the flood.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said Winchester worked everyday for a month patrolling the water to make sure the community was safe during the high waters. Winchester said during a flood the WCSO typically works on the water all day everyday until the water recedes to the banks.

Winchester said it was a different experience with the flooding happening in the winter.

“This time we had the elements of the weather. It was pretty rough sometimes,” Winchester said. “We just go ahead and we power through the elements and keep serving the citizens as best we can.”

In addition to those duties, he is a certified driving instructor for the WCSO, and he does driving instruction at the police academy at Mississippi Delta Community College in Moorhead.

As a driving instructor, he is in charge of the training deputies and officers receive on emergency and non-emergency driving.

“Teaching them proper pursuits and making sure they understand our driving policy and things of that nature,” Winchester said.

He is also trained as a hostage and crisis negotiator.

“That’s something that we very seldom have but that is, I guess, another tool in my tool belt that I’m trained to do,” Winchester said adding he was trained by the FBI.

Before his law enforcement career, Wichester received a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science from Alcorn State University. He worked full time in the agricultural research department of Alcorn State and received a master’s degree in secondary education.

“I like teaching stuff where I can actually get out there and be hands-on,” Winchester said.

But he said he always thought about joining law enforcement because of his background in the military – spending 14 years in the U.S. Army Reserve. He started his law enforcement career in Jefferson County and said he has really enjoyed it ever since.

“It was kind of something extra, and I started doing that. I began to want to pursue it more and got into it,” Winchester said.

Winchester started at the WCSO as a deputy sheriff in 2004. He became a detective in 2006.

His favorite thing about being in law enforcement is meeting people and helping people.

“It really is a gratifying feeling,” Winchester said. “Just being able to touch people you never even knew you made an impact on.”

Even when he is dealing with people who have broken the law, he tries to keep in mind that they are people too. He said it is important to treat people right and do the best you can to help.

“Sometimes you have to be a counselor,” Winchester said. “Sometimes you have to be a teacher. All of my experiences that I’ve gone through, it kind of helps mold and build me to be a better officer. Sometimes people just need guidance. Sometimes they just need somebody to talk to.”

It can be hard for him to separate himself from the cases he investigates. He said he lives through those cases with all the people involved whether its having items stolen or losing a loved one.

Often he will take those thoughts home with him were he continues to think about the details with sympathy and understanding.

“When you are dealing with people in the community, when they hurt, you hurt,” Winchester said.

Through it all, he has found the career that suits him best.

“I really love serving the citizens of Warren County. I’ve had the opportunity to meet and experience a lot of great things working here, and it’s been a very rewarding and fulfilling career that I’ve had working here for the sheriff’s department,” Winchester said.