CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) This Father’s Day, Clarksville Now is celebrating one father and son who share a passion to serve and protect. Marvin Carnagey, and his son, Jeff Carnagey, both work serve the citizens of Clarksville on the Clarksville Police Department.
Talking about being in law enforcement, Marvin said he wanted to do something that he felt was worthwhile. He had a friend that was a police officer and after riding along with him a few times, he decided that was the career path he wanted to follow.
Jeff said his dad influenced him as a person but didn’t really expose him to a lot of the law enforcement side of things. He let Jeff find that out for himself. “He definitely did a good job of teaching me what it meant to be a man and how to lead the best life I could,” said Jeff.
Marvin said he admires his son the way he dedicates himself. Marvin shared the story about an old cheap weight bench that Jeff used as a young man to work out. Marvin told him if he stuck with it they would get some new equipment. One day they went shopping. Jeff still works out with that equipment today.
When it comes to fatherly advice, Jeff remembers his dad often saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’. There have been plenty of times where Jeff says he has jumped into something head first and his dad come to the rescue.
They both laughed remembering a past story about a dirt bike and a wave runner. But that will have to be a family story for another time.
When asked what it means to be a police officer, Marvin said, “I just enjoy being able to make a difference in somebody’s day. When you’re able to actually go to a call where somebody needs some assistance. To be able to help them out and get them in the right direction.”
Jeff said he had similar feelings about being an officer. “At the end of the day it’s feeling like you’ve accomplished something. Out here every day is different, every person is different and you’re dealing with so many people. You’re having an impact on so many people’s lives. I can’t imagine doing anything else,” said Caranagey.