Citadel mom of six fulfills dream of becoming police officer

Needless to say, our family truly believes in everything The Citadel stands for. Jennifer Petrone, Beaufort Police Officer Candidate

Jennifer Petrone told her family her lifelong goal was to become a police officer. Now, in her Beaufort Police Department uniform, she credits her family as key to her success. She also stands as an example to her six children, proving that determination can transform a seemingly-unobtainable goal into reality.

Petrone is a member of The Citadel Graduate College Class of 2019, graduating May 4 with a Master of Arts in Social Science. She worked on her master’s at the same time her son, Eian, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and her oldest daughter, Briona, became a member of The South Carolina Corps of Cadets.

Petrone earned a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice through The Citadel’s Evening Undergraduate Program in 2015. She earned a graduate certificate in Leadership Studies between her undergrad and graduate degrees.

Back row left to right: Eian, Jennifer, Matthew. Front row, left to right: Emarra, Anthony, Andrew, Briona and Benjamin

For me personally going to The Citadel taught me that I am capable of achieving greatness. The core values that I learned while working on my bachelor’s degree with the Evening Undergraduate Program helped to instill in me what was necessary to achieve my next goal: finishing my master’s degree.

I am forever grateful for the long nights, time away from my children, weekend sacrifices, and at times, many tears; I am grateful because all of this showed me that anything is possible when one sets their mind to something.

“Being a student at The Citadel was something I never thought would be possible, I am so honored to be a part of The Citadel family. I now have a daughter that is about to embark on her junior year in the Corps of Cadets and a son who is inspiring to be a legacy to his sister. Needless to say our family truly believes in everything The Citadel stands for, ” said Petrone.

Petrone’s next step is to complete her officer training with South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy while working for the Beaufort Police Department. “I would like to eventually be placed in one of the local schools as the school resource officer, but this will take a little time to achieve.”