Behind the Badge: Williams found his calling in communications

“A jack of all trades and a master of none” is an expression many people would apply to themselves as a result of their broad employment history; but David Williams can confidently say he is a jack of all trades and a master of one.

“When I first interviewed to work as a dispatcher for the Poplar Bluff Police Department, they asked me where I saw myself five years down the road,” Williams recalled. “I told them I saw myself right here. Because this is exactly where I want to be.”

Initially, Williams said he had planned to obtain the necessary education to go on and become a nurse anesthetist.

“I really thought nursing was where I would want to be, back then,” Williams explained. “I was actually the first, and only, male candy-striper (volunteer) at the old Dexter hospital. But I eventually burned out during the third year of school.”

Williams would eventually return to school to complete his education and become a teacher and a coach.

“I coached football and wrestling,” Williams explained. “And I taught alternative school science and physical education. But my heart wasn’t in teaching like it was in coaching.”

Not long after that, Williams found himself working as a dispatcher in Stoddard County.

“I worked for the sheriff’s department, as well as EMS,” Williams remarked. “I dispatched for all of Stoddard County’s emergency services.”

By November 2010, Williams found himself working for the PBPD.

“The Stoddard County Sheriff Carl Hefner actually helped me get this job,” Williams said. “He told me about the job and gave me a good reference.”

A different experience

Making the adjustment to dispatching for the PBPD wasn’t an immediate thing for Williams.

“It took some getting used to,” Williams noted. “Poplar Bluff is a different pace than Stoddard County. I had to adjust to the increased volume of calls in Poplar Bluff. There are more officers here and there is more activity here.”

But that change of pace is exactly what Williams needed.

“I’m service-oriented. I’m drawn to this kind of work,” Williams said. “My job is to provide important information to the officers who are responding to a scene; but I’m also providing a service to callers. I and the other dispatchers are the first law enforcement voice they hear when they call.

“Once I landed here, I saw myself staying for good. I plan to retire from here.”

But his future retirement won’t include much idle time.

“I don’t sit still very well,” Williams laughed. “I actually own a business called ATOM music. It stands for Addicted to Music. I DJ at weddings.”

Williams said he enjoys working as a DJ because he loves music, but he also provides a service by doing so.

“I provide music to keep people going during a happy event,” Williams said. “I’m able to fill requests and keep the dance floor going.”

But retirement isn’t going to be a reality for Williams anytime soon.

“I love being here,” he remarked. “What keeps me here is the unknown. No two calls are exactly alike, and you never know what’s going to be on the other line when you answer the phone.”