Eric Hayes
Pursuing His Purpose
story by MICAH PEPPERS photos by SUSAN DELOACH
Growing up, Eric Hayes never imagined he would be a School Resource Officer (SRO). Even as every career decision he made took him in the opposite direction, fate had other plans for him. Now, as the Beaufort High School SRO, you’ll often hear him saying, “I really do feel like I have the best job in the world.”
Eric bounced around a bit as a kid before finally landing in upstate New York. After graduating high school, he wasn’t entirely sure of the career path he wanted to take. “My first real job was at Dunkin Donuts. There was a Marine Corps recruiter who came in often, and I would joke around with him. Eventually, after a few visits, he finally asked me what my plan was after graduating. I didn’t really have one, so that’s when I really began to learn more about becoming a Marine.”
Coming from a small town, the Marine Corps allowed Eric to do something different. “I grew up in an area where we had as many cows as people. I only had 80 kids in my senior class. It was mostly dirt roads, and most of us didn’t really have money for college. But I knew I wanted out. Toward graduation, 9/11 was still fresh, and being a small town, it just hit us hard. It felt different. There was a push to serve our country.”
When Eric enlisted, he took advantage of the Marine Corps Buddy Program, which allowed friends who enlist together to not only attend the same recruitment training but also be in the same military unit. “I had three buddies who decided to join with me, and we were able to stay together in the same camp and then continue on to the same platoon.”
However, joining the Marine Corps and getting through boot camp is only the first step. Eric would eventually be assigned to Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 5811, Military Police. “I really didn’t have any emotional ties to law enforcement. My great uncle was a police chief, and a few other distant family members worked in law enforcement, but those were my only connections,” Hayes states. During his recruitment phase, Hayes ranked his top three job choices with military police as his third choice. “I really wanted to be a mechanic. I grew up working on farms and having to fix things. I tinkered on tractors and trailers, so I was initially slightly disappointed when I was selected for the military police.”
After completing boot camp in 2003, he received orders to Camp Lejeune where he remained for the next four years. In 2006, he re-enlisted in the Marine Corps and took orders to Beaufort and the Parris Island Provost Marshall Office (PMO). While stationed here, he continued with the Military Police, eventually picking up the rank of Sergeant. After being selected for his next assignment, Eric made the choice to leave active duty. “I made the decision to get out in that last year because I was selected for recruiting duty. I really wanted to go back overseas, back to deployments. I specifically remember telling the career planner I didn’t want to be in a high school; I didn’t want to work with kids.”
After leaving active duty, an opportunity arose with Beaufort/Parris Island PMO as a civilian police officer. “I was given a chance to stay with the military police, but as a civilian, so I took it. I didn’t enjoy it, and after a little less than a year, I enrolled in college to pursue a new career.”
Eric wanted to attend college locally, so using his GI Bill, which he earned for his military service, he applied to the Technical College of the Lowcountry (TCL). While at TCL, Eric initially pursued a degree in computer technology. “I earned a computer science degree but quickly realized that IT wasn’t for me.” Eric again enrolled at TCL in the Criminal Justice program, where he met Professor Michael Ricks. “Throughout the program, Mr. Ricks consistently challenged me on my perspectives of law enforcement. It was specifically one of his classes, Juvenile Delinquency (and causations of crime), that exposed me to the juvenile justice system. I was hooked. I truly had not been interested at all in going back into law enforcement in any capacity, but throughout the program, Mr. Ricks insisted. I still carry with me something Mr. Ricks would always say: ‘Training teaches you what to do, but education teaches us why you do it.’ It completely reignited my interest in law enforcement and put me on the path I am on today.”
While enrolled at TCL, Eric briefly worked security before he began working at the local YMCA as the Aquatics and Sports Coordinator, working directly with the local youth. “I loved it. I loved the kids. I loved the community. But eventually, I finished at TCL, and the money from the GI Bill ran out. I could no longer stay at the YMCA. I had to move on. I had a friend who I had worked with in the Marine Corps call me and tell me that the Beaufort City Police Department was hiring. I applied, got hired, and I’m still with them today.”
Hayes worked patrol over the next three years, and a new opportunity arose, one that would bring him full circle back to why he quit the Marine Corps years ago. “There was an SRO opening at Beaufort High School. I expressed my interest and was selected. I’ve now been with Beaufort High for five years and am about to begin my sixth.”
Hayes is passionate about working with the students of Beaufort High School. “I start the day at 8:00 a.m. with my emails and voicemails. As students sometimes run into trouble outside of school, SROs are often notified of any such incidents from the previous day, or parents will call with questions, concerns, or want to discuss a child’s situation. Once those are done, during the initial morning hours, students are directed to the gym or cafeteria areas, so I walk through these areas and throughout the campus, making sure the kids are where they are supposed to be. I like to stay mobile and be in the places where problems are most likely to occur. Once classes begin, I monitor the school radio and security cameras while staying mobile. I’m constantly checking the halls, doorways, lockers, and exits. To wrap up the day, I try to be present out front, on the bus ramp, and in the parking lot for dismissal and usually find my way back to my office around 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Outside of the regular school day, I also provide security at sporting games, dances, and any other after-school events, as requested.”
Although Hayes is a known presence by the students, staff, and parents of Beaufort High School, he still encourages parents to do their part too. “My biggest tip would be to just stay involved. Ask questions. Don’t assume anything. Sometimes kids fall into the wrong crowd or make the wrong decisions, so the more parents stay involved, the less likely that child will get into any serious trouble. Whatever unfortunate situation they might find themselves in, there were likely numerous opportunities to prevent it.”
Hayes wants teenagers to know that they need to be responsible for their own actions as well. His biggest piece of advice to his students is: “Choose your friends wisely. There are kids who know what they are doing, but then there are the kids that get caught up in it. Think for yourself. South Carolina is becoming more critical. More is expected of juveniles, and the juvenile justice system is cracking down. The law is starting to hold teenagers more accountable, and once their name is in the computer, it never comes out.”
In July 2022, Hayes received the Beaufort Police Department’s Employee Recognition Semi-Annual Award. His SRO Supervisor, SRO Hebrard, nominated Hayes for his achievements over the past year, including his hard work, dedication, and his volunteer efforts in the community. “It was an honor, and I just feel that I’m right where I need to be.”
Although much of his life is devoted to law enforcement, he does enjoy the Lowcountry lifestyle when he’s not working. “I still like to work on motors, four-wheelers, motorcycles, and other fixer-uppers. I always plan to sell them, but then I get attached. I enjoy being home with my fiancé, Melanie, and our two dogs, Maddie and Grace. We both like to be outside, go hiking, be on the water, and just stay active in general. I also still work with teenagers on different volunteer opportunities outside of being an SRO.”
Eric Hayes has found his purpose. All it took was a small town, a Marine Corps recruiter, a dedicated professor, a few friends, and a few detours to take the man that once got out of the military — because he had no desire to work with kids — and turn him into a man that wakes up every day excited to go to work.
Editor’s Note: Beaufort Lifestyle would like to Congratulate Eric Hayes as he embarks on a new career venture. Our community is grateful for his service to the City of Beaufort Police Department and the Beaufort High School staff, students, and parents he has served while there.
During my time at Beaufort High, I have grown to appreciate new professional passions and opportunities. While I have absolutely loved every second of my time as a Beaufort High community member, my role there will only be that of a volunteer in the upcoming year. I have recently accepted an opportunity to continue my work in school safety and protection, but in a slightly different capacity as the Director of Security and Prevention for Bridges Preparatory School.
My time working with the Beaufort High students, families, and community has only solidified my passion for what it means to serve and protect. Through my interactions at Beaufort High, I have a deeper understanding of what service to the Beaufort community means. I look forward to the continued success of Beaufort High, and I am equally excited to begin this next chapter.
