Barton College Student Signs On with Wilson Police Department, Celebrating Community Impact

WILSON, N.C. — January 14, 2026 — Barton College student Joshua Shockley has taken the next step in his professional path by joining the Wilson Police Department, continuing a commitment to service shaped during his time at the College. A campus signing event Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the President’s Box at Truist Stadium brought together Barton leadership and Wilson Police Department representatives to welcome him to the department.

Shockley is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences at Barton College, expected to graduate in May, and has been named to the Dean’s List for three consecutive semesters. He also plays football for the Barton Bulldogs and competes on the College’s cornhole team. His experiences at Barton have prepared him for a career in service, and his decision to begin that career in Wilson reflects a commitment to giving back to the community that shaped him.

“Josh has always been the kind of student-athlete who leads by example,” said Barton College Head Football Coach Chip Hester. “Whether on the field or in the classroom, he has shown discipline, accountability, and a genuine desire to serve others. We’re incredibly proud to see him take that same mindset into a career serving the Wilson community.”

Barton College alumni serving with the Wilson Police Department attended the signing in support of Joshua Shockley, reflecting the College’s tradition of service and the impact of its graduates in the community. His brother, Caleb Shockley, police chief of Nashville, N.C., and a 2016 Barton College alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Sciences, was also in attendance.

“At Barton, we prepare students not just for a job—but for meaningful careers, for lives of service and leadership,” said Dr. Douglas N. Searcy, President of Barton College. “Josh’s decision to serve with the Wilson Police Department reflects how Barton students learn to lead with purpose, and how those values continue to shape their impact well beyond graduation and positively impact our community. We are grateful for a strong relationship with the Wilson Police Department and appreciate all they do to protect and serve Wilson.”

Shockley will soon begin his law enforcement training, marking the next step in his path toward becoming a certified officer in North Carolina and serving the Wilson community.

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