The Jefferson City Council recently approved hiring a patrol officer for the police department.

Nick Johnson is a Carroll native and graduated from Carroll High School in 2010. From there, he went on to obtain his emergency medical technician certification through the Mercy Medical Center program. He served as an EMT with Carroll County Ambulance for one year and most recently worked as a Carroll County Jailer for the past 18 months. He talks about a couple of other stints he is serving where he lives in Lidderdale and why he chose law enforcement as a career.

“Five years ago I started as a volunteer EMT and firefighter and just generally helping people. Being there and knowing that you’re helping somebody and making a difference, whether it might be something simple to you, but it could go a long ways with the other person. I really enjoy helping people and being a benefit to them.”

Johnson explains why he chose Jefferson to begin his career as a police officer.

“You know I’ve got some ties here, I’ve got some buddies that work over here. When I came over to interview (for the position), it just started as an interview. When I got there, (Police) Chief (Mark) Clouse and their sergeants just opened me up with open arms. That family and that open feeling felt like it was right.”

Johnson started Wednesday with a salary of $47,321 and will attend the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy this fall. He lives in Lidderdale with his wife Brittany and their two kids, eight-year-old Brayden and 19-month-old Ruthrie.