Tracey Parker, Jr. graduated from Bluefield University in May 2017 with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. Parker, who’s from Smithfield, Virginia, also played on the defensive line for the BU Rams football team while he was a student.
“He was a standout phenomenal football player and such an aspiring man of character and a mentor to young players,” said Dr. Kim Farmer, professor and chair of the department of criminal justice.
After graduating from Bluefield University, Tracey Parker, Jr. enrolled in the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy and was accepted as a member of the 11th Law Enforcement Basic School. At his graduation ceremony in May 2019, he was awarded the Bethel University Scholarship Award of $5,000. Parker, Jr. graduated from the Academy alongside his friend and Bluefield University alumni Alex Martin.
Tracey was hired by the Pennington Gap Police Department last summer and proudly continues to serve at Pennington Gap Police Department. Dr. Kim Farmer says she and Dr. Kelly Walls, associate professor in criminal justice, were “so very proud” of his accomplishments.