Growing up, becoming a police officer was something Terry Miles never even thought once about doing.

But, after seven years on the Troy Police Department, his plans must have changed.

“When I grew up, a police officer was way down on my list,” said Miles, who graduated from the University of Alabama in accounting.

In fact, being a police officer was something Miles and his friends looked down upon growing up.

“The place I grew up, the only time we saw police officers was a bad image,” Miles said.

“I knew that wasn’t the role of a police officer. I knew they do a lot of good in the community.”

So after 13 years of working at Wal-Mart and a tragic experience, Miles decided the call to join the force was for him after all.

“I had a friend Rodney growing up, who was like a brother,” Miles said.

“We went our separate ways, but he wound up being shot and killed.

“It made me take a look at myself and decide what I wanted to do.”

And since, Miles has been an active member of the Troy Police Department team.

Starting off as a patrol officer and becoming a detective, Miles’ supervisor said he’s a valuable asset to the local police force.

“Terry Miles is a very hard worker,” said Capt. Jimmy Ennis.

“One thing that stands out about Terry is he gets results, and he does the job the right way.”

Miles said he works at the department investigating felonies, from break-ins to murders.

“There’s really no such thing as a typical day,” Miles said.

“One day you might be doing paperwork and another you just might not stop. But, there’s always something to do.”

His efforts to serve the community have brought Miles both great joys and sorrows in his time of service.

“Sometimes its one in the same — the most rewarding part is when you look someone in the eyes, and they seem helpless, but you step in to help,” Miles said.

“The most difficult is when that happens, and you can’t help.”