July 22, 2011
For Immediate Release
By Christina L. Kern, office assistant
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| Adam Dodson, left, stopped a woman from attacking a family court judge in Wayne County. Here he is recognized at a Campbellsville University Somerset location commencment in April with Dr. Jackie Sandifer, center, associate professor of criminal justice, and Dr. Michael V. Carter, president of Campbellsville University. (Campbellsville University Photo by Joan C. McKinney) |
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky.—A Campbellsville University Somerset location graduate put his degree to work in Wayne County Family Court in Monticello, Ky. when he stopped a woman from attacking the judge July 13.
Adam Dodson of Monticello, a December 2010 graduate of Campbellsville University, received a degree in criminal justice because he wanted to be in law enforcement. Dodson serves as court security officer in Wayne County.
It was during family court that a woman attempted to attack a judge. Dodson said the woman had interrupted her ex-husband, and the judge said she would be held for contempt of court. The woman continued saying she didn’t do anything wrong to her ex-husband or the court. At that time the judge issued a contempt of court charge and said she would be put in jail for 10 days… that’s when the woman jumped over the barrier between her and the judge.
Dodson was quick to take action.
He said, “I didn’t even have time to think about what to do but to stop her actions. I was taught to stop the action, get the person in handcuffs and get them in jail.”
Dodson said he had read and studied about criminal behavior in several classes so it “wasn’t a shocker.”
The woman’s behavior seemed to meet what he had studied “emotions run high, heat of the passion scenario where she couldn’t control her own actions.”
On a news video interview, he said, “I’ve worked there for 3½ years and this is the first time anything that serious has happened… My adrenaline was pumping and I did sweat a little bit, but everything went fine and nobody was injured.”
Larry Creason, assistant professor of criminal justice at Campbellsville University, taught Dodson at the CU Somerset location. He said, “I am pleased to have observed the video [news interview] of this young man’s devotion to duty and comment to the role of protection, prevention and service. Adam reflected in his interview the developed character of an outstanding police officer.
“That character comes from Adam’s upbringing, his police academy training, experience in the field and a desire to broaden his horizon through formal education programs.”
Dodson acquired an associate degree in criminal justice at Somerset Community College, and finished at Campbellsville University’s Somerset location with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Creason said, “Adam accomplished this degree with honors while most of the time either working part time or full time. That reflects the type of disciplined person Adam Dodson has become and continues to demonstrate in the field while performing policing duties.”
Bill Cassell, assistant professor of criminal justice, also taught Dodson. He said, “Our mix of practical and academic education makes a great platform from which to launch a criminal justice career. Adam is using that platform.”
Dodson’s advice for future criminal justice majors is “stick to it. I wanted to be in law enforcement, and not every class dealt specifically with that. Even though you think you’re studying something you’re not going to use, you probably will in some way.”
Dodson received the criminal justice academic award at CU’s Honors and Awards Day held in April. He graduated magna cum laude.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university with over 3,000 students offering 63 undergraduate programs, 17 master’s degrees and five postgraduate areas. The website for complete information is campbellsville.edu.