Growing up in a law enforcement family, Sgt. Edward Farmer never thought he would follow in those handcuff bearing footsteps. He actually wanted to be a helicopter pilot growing up. But dreams changed, and after going from a need to fly to a desire to farm, Sgt. Farmer finds himself protecting our campus.
Most little boys dream of a day when they don a uniform, pin on their badge, slip in gun in the holster and flip on the blue lights and the siren. But Farmer said he never experienced those temptations.
“Most little kids get excited when they see a police officer go down the street. But the police car was in my driveway,” Farmer said. “I helped my dad clean it out sometimes and he would let me turn on the blue lights, so I kind of experienced that. That’s why I wanted to do different things.”
That police car was parked in the driveway of a farm and as he grew up, Farmer found horticulture fascinating. Farmer got a scholarship through the FFA and Congress to go to school in Germany, so a week after graduation, he moved out of the country to study horticulture. During his time in school, Farmer had a part time job with security, and the more he
was around it, the more interested he became.
He’s been in law enforcement for 16 years now, starting in Avery County in Western N.C. Farmer has always been a fan of N.C. State. When he was looking at schools his senior year, he looked at NCSU as a prime option because of his intended major. He also attended conferences and camps in Raleigh while he was in high school. He remained interested in NCSU, and as the web made information more accessible, he kept a close eye on the University, particularly its police department.
“The department was very progressive, very forward with new innovative techniques and law enforcement ideas,” Farmer said.
He and his wife had been looking to move somewhere with more economic advantages and opportunities than the small mountain county had to offer, and Farmer said Raleigh seemed to be the right place.
He applied for the job and was sworn in on the March 22, 1999, and he’s been here ever since. When he first joined the Campus Police department, he started as a police officer. In the 10 years he’s been on the force, he has moved his way up very quickly in the ranks to Sergeant in Sept. of 1999. He served as a sergeant of the detective division for five years, then moved to become a patrol sergeant.
Today he is the sergeant special events coordinator. He works with other agencies like Wake County Police Department and the Raleigh Police Department to arrange security for all the events on campus, like concerts and athletic events that require law enforcement. He also holds an administrative roll as well, working with the professional standards division, assisting the accreditation manager.
A typical day for Sgt. Farmer includes verifying event operation orders of events that have recently taken place, talking to persons requesting assistance with events here at the University wishing to schedule special events which call for law enforcement. He also assists the captain with administrative duties.
Sgt. Farmer’s plans for the future are to stay right where he is. He is currently in the Academy of Venue Safety and Security through the International Association of Assembly Managers, who are the specialists for special events in large venues. He is the first police officer in UNC system, and one of only a few in the nation, to go through that, and plans to finish it.
Sgt. Farmer said he would most definitely recommend his job to others.
“I enjoy working with people in general, and serving people. I enjoy being helpful to people. I especially enjoy working with younger folks,” Farmer said. “At N.C. State you have the opportunity to interact with people in a positive way.”
Sgt. Farmer would also like to tell the students Campus Police is here to help.
“We ask that the students help us by reporting any suspicious behaviors or anything that appears to be abnormal. That way we can all work together to provide a safe environment and community,” he said.
