The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office has a new deputy on patrol. Joel Seekins, 36, joined the full-time roster Feb. 21.
Seekins, 36, is originally from Freeport. He grew up in Freeport and Bath. He graduated from Mt. Ararat High School in Topsham, where his classmates included Damariscotta Police Department Sgt. Jason Warlick.
Seekins will graduate from the University of Maine at Augusta in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in justice studies.
He has completed the Maine Law Enforcement Pre-Service Training Program and hopes to attend the next session of the 18-week Basic Law Enforcement Training Program at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
Seekins worked a variey of jobs while going to college. He detailed cars, plowed snow, and worked on lobster boats in Bailey Island and Harpswell. He started college as a music major, but couldn’t see a future in it.
Some time later, “I happened to take a community policing class and really enjoyed it,” he said. His work earned the attention of the professor, who asked if he had ever considered a career in law enforcement.
Seekins joined the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office as a reserve deputy Oct. 20.
“I love the area,” he said. “I love being by the water. The guys and girls I work with are just phenomenal. They’ve all been very, very helpful.”
The work is challenging, he said. “I really enjoy it.”
Outside work, Seekins still enjoys music. He plays drums, guitar, and piano. He likes to draw and spend time with family, and he enjoys cars, motorcycles, and “pretty much anything with wheels,” he said.