After working 34 years in the corporate world, Lieutenant Joe Hovis decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a state trooper. And now after 14 years of living out his dream, he is ready to hang up the uniform and start a new chapter. “I love my job” the North Carolina native said. “I wish I had some more years to do it.”

Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Hovis graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in logistics and marketing. Shortly after graduating, he went to work as a supervisor for Yellow Freight, a nationwide carrier, retiring from his corporate position at the age of 54 in South Carolina.

“I retired June 30, 2012, and six days later I went to trooper school,” Hovis said. “I had every intention to join the Highway Patrol.”

Although he was steadfast with his intentions, his decision did not come without doubt.

“I was really apprehensive about it,” Hovis said. “I didn’t know what to expect.”

His desire to join the patrol ignited in North Carolina, where a state trooper often patrolled in front of his home.

“I would go stand at his window and we talked all the time,” he said. “That’s probably what sparked my interest.”

In the year leading up to trooper school, Hovis trained diligently in preparation for the physical demands he would have to face. Knowing that there was a high chance he would be the oldest trainee, he strived to ensure he could keep up with his young peers.

“We always ran in cadence as a group,” Hovis said. “You only run as fast as your slowest person. Luckily, I wasn’t the slowest person.”

Starting patrol school in his 50s was a daunting feat, unsure whether the younger trainees would accept him. But Hovis earned their respect soon after joining.

“My whole patrol class just kind of rallied around me,” he said. “It was really fun.”

After a few years of being on the road as a trooper, Hovis saw an opportunity to join the Highway Patrol’s Community Relations Unit as a Community Relations Officer (CRO).

“It afforded me many more years than I probably would have lasted on the road,” he said.

As a CRO, and later Lieutenant of the Community Relations, Recruiting and FOIA Unit, Hovis has spent a lot of time doing what he loves, such as giving safety presentations, attending community events, and recruiting for the Highway Patrol.

“I love working for the Highway Patrol, but there’s not a more perfect job than working in community relations,” he said.

With the goal of reducing fatal collisions in mind, Hovis focused on educating the public on the state’s four deadliest driving habits: speeding, distracted driving, not wearing a seatbelt, and driving under the influence, the results of which he experienced firsthand during his time patrolling South Carolina’s highways.

“Even today, I can go by a place where I worked a fatal collision and I still remember it,” he said. “That sticks in your mind.”

With his retirement approaching in late June, Hovis is eager to see what lies ahead and looks forward to traveling, working on cars, and spending time with his family. However, he is also undeniably appreciative of his career with the Highway Patrol and reminisces on all the great times he’s had in the last 14 years.

“I can tell you that any bad day at the Highway Patrol is a lot better than a good day in the corporate world,” he said.

Though bittersweet, Hovis is leaving behind an honorable legacy and big shoes to fill.

“You should leave the place that you work in a little better shape than it was,” he said. “And I hope that’s what I’ve done.”

By overcoming his uncertainty about starting a new career later than most, Hovis serves as an inspiration to anyone thinking it is too late to chase their ambitions.

“I would tell anybody young or old, if I can do it, you can do it,” Hovis said. “It’s never too late to pursue your dream.”