For Officer Wilson McDaniel, the desire to serve others never changed. Only the path did.
Before joining the Manning Police Department, McDaniel spent more than two years teaching computer science and coaching esports in Sumter. Although he enjoyed education, he felt called to serve his community in a different way.
"I wanted something more," McDaniel said. "I wanted to feel like I was making more of an impact. Not that teaching isn't an impact, but I felt like there was a different spot for me contributing to the community."
That calling had been with him long before he entered the classroom.
A 2015 Sumter High School graduate, McDaniel earned an associate degree from USC Sumter and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from USC Upstate. Coaching opportunities led him into education, but law enforcement remained his long-term goal.
That desire to serve runs in his family, although most of his relatives chose a different profession.
"My family is basically all in health care," McDaniel said. "Health care wasn't something that I was interested in, but it's still that idea of helping people and helping the community. Law enforcement was the best fit for me, and I haven't looked back since."
McDaniel recently graduated from the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy as a distinguished graduate, finishing among the top students in his class. Manning Police Chief Sean Briley said McDaniel also excelled in hands-on training, including driving and firearms.
Briley said McDaniel's performance at the academy reflects what he is already seeing on the job.
"We couldn't make a better hire," Briley said. "He's way above his short time in law enforcement."
McDaniel said the decision to join the Manning Police Department was influenced in part by family members who had relocated to the area, making it a natural place to begin his law enforcement career. Since moving to Clarendon County himself, he has been eager to learn every aspect of the profession.
Rather than focusing on one specialty, he wants to gain experience before deciding whether investigations, traffic enforcement, narcotics or another area is the right fit.
"There's a lot to law enforcement," he said.
When he's off duty, McDaniel enjoys fishing, riding motorcycles and working on them. He credits his former director of student life at USC Sumter with helping shape the person he is today.
"He's kind of helped forge me into the person that I am," McDaniel said.
As he begins his career with the Manning Police Department, McDaniel said his goal is simple: help make the community a safer place.
"I'm here to help out in whatever way I can," he said. "I hope that I can make it a safer place for them."
