James Dean Martin has been making traffic stops since he was 10 years old. He went from being a boy riding shotgun in his father’s military police car to being the man in uniform who pulls people over for traffic violations.

The Radcliff sophomore is an up-and-coming Kentucky State Trooper candidate, a dream he’s had since he was 6 years old.

“I want to get the trash off the streets and bring more back to the meaning of the law,” Martin said. “I want to help and protect people.”

He said the day he carries a badge and drives his own silver-blue patrol car will be the day he joins his family’s business. Martin’s parents are both military police officials, and he has an uncle who is a police officer. His grandfathers were a Marine and a sheriff.

“It’s definitely a family tradition,” he said. “But I want to be something no one else has been, a different type of law enforcement.”

If becoming a state trooper is based on physical condition, Martin said he has a good shot – he stands at 6 feet 2 inches and weighs 270 pounds. He also has experience on his side, because he worked at the campus police department for more than a year.

Martin started out as an Explorer with the campus police and was promoted to captain in August, but he decided to take time off for personal reasons. He said he plans on working there again before he graduates with a degree in business marketing.

While he was an Explorer, Martin’s duties included patrolling campus, conducting building checks, controlling traffic at sporting events and being a part of the department’s escort service.

He participated alongside eight other Explorers in a competition in Gatlinburg, Tenn. that tested completion of searches and seizures, DUI stops, high-risk warrant searches and crime scene investigations.

He was also able to put his Explorer skills to action after he saw a “T-bone” car accident happen on Normal Drive while he was off-duty in April. He ran to the scene and made sure everyone was OK, then phoned it into the police.

Martin said he enjoyed and looked forward to the 20 hours he worked each week and the 20 hours he volunteered each month with the campus police department.

“I love the group of people there,” he said. “The atmosphere makes you feel like part of a family.”

Nashville senior Ryan Russell, who is a cadet in the Explorer program, got to know Martin well while working with him. The two became friends and played intramural flag football together.

“It was fun working with him, and I always looked forward to it,” Russell said. “He was laid-back but worked hard – James is a natural leader. People listen to what he has to say. He’s funny and charismatic, and it will pay off for him.”

Martin’s friend and roommate, Elizabethtown sophomore Cory Blair, said he agrees that Martin will reach his goals and make a great state trooper one day.

“He’s driven and honest to no end,” Blair said. “He will be as successful as you can be in that field. It won’t take him long to climb the ranks ladder.”

Reach Ashley Maines at features@wkuherald.com.