PEA RIDGE — One of the newest police officers in town is living his dream.

Eric Lyle, the son of a police officer, said he’s always wanted to be a policeman and joined the military to avoid getting in trouble until he was old enough to go to the law enforcement academy.

“That was my sole reason for going into the military, because you can’t go into law enforcement untilyou’re 21,” Lyle said, smiling. “I like the professionalism of a police officer. I saw the way kids look at police officers.

I saw my dad in uniform. It’s what I wanted to do.”

Lyle and Jason Blackmon are the two newest police officers in town, replacing two officers who resigned and moved out of state.

Lyle, who achieved the rank of E4 specialist Airborne ranger, served in the U.S.

Army from 1998 to 2002 and served in Afghanistan and Egypt.

“Whether it’s the military or the police uniform, and I did both ... he (his father) was definitely a role model,” Lyle said, recalling that as far back as he can remember,he wanted to be a policeman. He wanted to rid in the car with his father when he was on duty when he was a youth, but couldn’t until he turned 18.

Lyle’s father is the narcotics officer for the Lawrence County, Mo., Sheriff’s Office. He was also a police officer in Springfield, Mo. Lyle’s brother is in the Missouri Highway Patrol in St. Joseph, Mo.

“I’m excited to work for the chief and the city of Pea Ridge,” Officer Eric Lyle said of his employmentwith Pea Ridge Police Department.

A native of Republic, Mo., Lyle attended classes at NorthWest Arkansas Community College studying criminal justice. He has been in law enforcement since 2005 and most recently worked for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office. He has a wife and two children.

Blackmon, a native of Gravette and graduate of Gravette High School, graduated from the ArkansasLaw Enforcement Academy in 2007 and has worked on both the Gravette and Decatur police departments. He and his “very beautiful wife of 14 years” have two sons. Prior to entering law enforcement, Blackmon worked on a ranch and drove a truck.

He is an avid outdoorsman and enjoys hunting and fishing. He said his brother-inlaw is a police sergeant on the Gentry Police Department.

“You’re not a number,” Blackmon said of working in a small community. “You’re more in contact with the public. I like to protect and serve.

I feel like the role should be, if you see an elderly lady with a flat tire, you should stop to help.”

“We are pleased to welcome aboard our new officers - Officer Lyle and Officer Blackmon,” Police Chief Tim Ledbetter said. “We believe they will be a benefit to our department and bring good knowledge and training with it.”

News, Pages 1 on 10/05/2011