Behind the Badge: Sgt James Fuqua

Today's Behind the Badge features Columbus Division of Police Sergeant James Fuqua, the Division’s Public Information Officer. From surprising moments on calls to how he finds strength through faith, Sergeant Fuqua offers us a glimpse at the lighter side of the job, the challenges he faces, and what keeps him grounded.

Q: Please tell us a little about yourself.

A: I’m born and raised in Columbus, the South Side, that’s my heart. When I graduated from high school in 1997, I enlisted in the Army.

Q: What inspired you to become a police officer?

A: After I left the Army, I did odd jobs for a while, including security. Through that job, I met a Columbus police officer. He said I should be a police officer. I said, “Ha. No thanks.” Then, five different officers I worked with also told me I should be a police officer, and through them, including them encouraging me do a ride along in my neighborhood, I decided to do it. Some of them are still officers now, but many are retired. I’m grateful they convinced me. I wanted to be an officer to give back and to represent people of color on the police force.

Q: What's your favorite memory on the job?

A: A funny one: We got called to a house for a burglary in progress. When we got there, the lady said he was still inside and all she knew was that he was “big and black.” We went in, and there was a big and black figure in the corner of the living room, and he was not responding to our commands. We thought we were going to have to taze him. We decided to turn on the lights, and the “suspect” was an eight foot tall replica of a gorilla decorated with a party hat and streamers, holding a birthday cake. She worked at the Columbus Zoo with gorillas for twenty years, and her husband got it to surprise her for her birthday. Well, it surprised her!

Q: What's one part of your job that might surprise people?

A: You do way more listening than you do talking. I spend most of my day listening and messaging, not talking. In communications, I think people believe that I just talk, but I have to gather information and listen. As an example, in a high profile investigation, I have to talk to the investigators and our bosses. Much more listening than talking. I’d say 60% listening, 20% writing, 10% traveling, and only 10% talking.

Q: Do you have a favorite Starfish Assignment memory or event?

A: When we partner with them to provide Christmas gifts for underserved families. The happiness and joy it brings to the kids and stress it takes off the parents. We in this job take for granted being blessed to support our families, so anytime we can work with Starfish to serve others is wonderful. The families don’t forget things like that.

Q: When you're off duty, what do you enjoy doing?

A: I used to be a DJ, so I enjoy spinning records as well as listening to them. I have a whole room in my house dedicated to that, nothing else. Just the vinyl and your ears. I also do prison ministry, and I enjoy it because I’m grounded in my faith. It’s important to not give up on the prison population. We’re all one mistake away from being where they are. I enjoy helping them get grounded in faith or help them find faith if they’ve never had it. I was surprised at how enthusiastic they were to have a police officer care about them. I tell them all the time that I almost need the ministry time more than they do. Just knowing that someone can be in a broken place but still have faith and then continue to grow when they get out of prison means a lot to me.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you received when you were young?

A: Being a young NCO [non-commissioned officer] in the Army, the best piece of leadership advice, which I use to this day, both at home and at work, is to never ask someone to do something you either haven’t done or won’t do yourself.

Q: Do you like donuts?

A: Duh!!!...Glazed donuts are the king of all donuts. I will fight you.