THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 12, 1996 TAG: 9606110159
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
LENGTH: 67 lines
Clarence Seamster Jr. worked for two years as a sheriff's deputy in the Norfolk City Jail, serving food to inmates, taking roll call, making transportation runs and escorting nurses when inmates needed medical care.
``I turned a lot of keys and slammed a lot of gates,'' Seamster recalled, ``but you do the job you have to do, and you earn the inmates' respect when you do that.''
Last September, Seamster left that job to become an officer of the Smithfield Police Department.
``There's a strong sense of community here,'' Seamster said. ``People wave to you from across the street. And to me, it's much cleaner than Norfolk. Norfolk had a lot of pollution, congestion and traffic.''
Seamster became interested in law enforcement after serving seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he worked on the security force, guarding base commanders and ``things'' labeled classified.
Seamster, an expert shot in pistol and rifle shooting, and an avid firearms collector, said the military training prepared him for police work.
He is a former firearms instructor. ``I am a pretty good shot,'' he said, ``but that comes from lots of rounds and lots of training.''
Name: Clarence Seamster Jr.
What brought you to Isle of Wight County? A warm, friendly, small-town atmosphere.
Birthdate/hometown: Jan. 23, 1968/Chesterfield County.
What's your fondest childhood memory? My involvement with Boy Scouts.
Marital status and children: Single/none.
Pets: None.
What was your first job/worst job? Grocer/None. I've learned from each job that I've had.
Occupation: Smithfield police officer.
If you had a choice, what other type of work would you be doing today? I recently had a choice. I picked this job because I enjoy it.
What's your favorite hangout? Taylor's Restaurant in Deltaville.
Favorite night out on the town? Dinner and a movie.
Favorite food/drink: Seafood and steak/Pepsi and coffee.
Favorite Movies/TV Shows: ``Clear and Present Danger,'' ``Patriot Games,'' ``Hunt for Red October.'' Also, any movie with Clint Eastwood or John Wayne.
What's your idea of a perfect vacation? Deep sea fishing off the coast of Hawaii.
I can't resist: Good food and the great outdoors.
Few people know that I: Bite my fingernails.
If you won the lottery, what would you do with the money? I would pay off all my bills, buy a log cabin and do a lot of hunting, fishing and backpacking.
What is the best advice you've ever been given? ``Never lie on top of a lie, on top of a lie; otherwise, you forget what you lied about the first time. Never lie.'' My dad.
What's the best thing about yourself? My sense of compassion and understanding in working with people.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? My old boot camp instructor. I would love to be in that kind of shape again.
What achievements are you most proud of? Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow, seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, becoming a police officer and my two years with the Norfolk Sheriff's Department.
Something you wish to say but haven't: ``To be or not to be. . . that is the question!'' William Shakespeare ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER by CNB