One Monticello Life: John Carter
December 23rd, 2007 by Joe Burgess
John Carter, shown here during an emergency drill a few months ago at Drew Central Schools, is an agent of the 10th Judicial District’s Drug Task Force.
John began his law enforcement career with the Monticello Police Dept., where he remained for 4 years, until November of this year. He had originally been a member for the Monticello Fire Dept. (he’s still a volunteer firefighter), and when Lt. Eddie Deaton suggested he become a member of the Police Auxiliary Unit, he soon became a full-time officer.
Carter says that the best part about being an officer is,”Helping people in their time of need, and knowing that somewhere along the line, you may have saved someone’s life”.
He told me that being with the Drug Task Force is a great opportunity, “Because so many of our country’s problems started out because of drugs.” He added, “Marijuana is a ‘gateway’ drug, that often leads to crack, cocaine, or methamphetamines.”
John has been voted as the “Police Officer of the Year” the past 2 years, by readers of Monticello’s local newspaper.
Carter has been nationally certified as a Child Safety Restraint Specialist, and has assisted the Arkansas Children’s Hospital, checking car safety seats for children. He has been able to use this training for the Monticello area at Rough & Ready Days and at First Assembly of God Church during a community event, earlier this year.
John  teaches “standardized field sobriety” for the Criminal Justice Institute at Little Rock, is a member or the OES Search & Rescue Team locally, a member of the local SWAT team (local law enforcement’s team of specialists who handle difficult situations such as high risk search warrants), and is responsible for fire extinguisher training at UAM.
John has lived in the Monticello area all of his life, graduated from Monticello High School and played defensive tackle for the Jr. & Sr. High Billies. He has some college hours at UAM, and plans to pursue a degree in Criminal Justice.Â
John & Rachel have been married for 5 years. Rachel is Office Manager & Residence Life Co-ordinator at UAM.  They have 2 sons, Hunter (age 4) & Hayden (age 2).
Rachel told me that, “John is more involved at home than most fathers are. He is very helpful around the house, since both of us work, and is especially great with the boys.” She said that even on the busiest days, John always finds a way to spend time with his sons, between his other tasks. John coaches a 4-year-old T-ball team.
His hobbies include deer hunting, and raising horses with his dad and brother.
The Carter family has a Cocker Spaniel and a house cat.
His favorite book is the Bible, favorite restaurant is Ameca, favorite music is country (both old & new), favorite actor is Denzell Washington, favorite movie is Rambo.
John’s TV time is usually spent watching reality shows like Big Brother and Survivor.
John is a “Razorback Fan, 100%, football and basketball.” He says that, “I think Bobby Petrino will be a good coach for the Hogs, when dust settles, and the season starts,” and he looks forward to seeing the Hogs play in the Cotton Bowl next weekend.
John, Rachel, and and boys will enjoy Christmas like most area families, spending time with the family, and of course, the grandparents.
Merry Christmas, John Carter, and thanks for sharing your One Monticello Life.
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I just wanted to say that it is refreshing to see MonticelloLive give publicity to our public safety professionals such as John Carter. All too often we in public service have our shortcomings pointed out (until we are needed in an emergency), we are stereotyped and our families talked about simply because we performed our duties and someone got mad about it. Im glad this website enables the public to see someone that walks among them with such dedication to family, friends and their community. I know and work with John and he is a fine law enforcement officer, father and husband and I am proud to see him on MonticelloLive.
John is my son-n-law even though I could never claim him as less than my own child. He does an excellent job taking care of my daughter and two grandsons while serving his community with much pride. Thanks for letting Monticello know what a good person John is!
Pansy Campbell
DeWitt, AR
HEY JOHN! WE’RE PROUD OF YA! THIS JUST GOES TO SHOW US THAT YOU ARE SO DEDICATED TO YOUR JOB AND THAT IS GREAT! TAKE CARE AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU,RACHAEL AND THE BOYS! YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY FROM WHEN I FIRST MET YOU AND SHANNON ON CAMPGROUND ROAD! JUST A SKINNY LITTLE BOY THAT HAS GROWN TO BECOME ONE OF MONTICELLO’S FINEST MEN IN BLUE! KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK, JOHN!
You are great at your job and such an inspiration to our boys! Hunter told me yesterday that he wanted to be a policeman when he grows up, just like his daddy, but still work some at McDonalds (he’s 4). We love ya and keep up the good work!