Two new Virginia State Police troopers from the area didn’t have to stray far from home for their new duty assignments.

Trooper Rashuan Derric Todd, a Suffolk native, now will be patrolling in the Sussex County area. Trooper Jordan Lee Bailey, a Carrollton native, is patrolling in Isle of Wight County.

The two were part of a class of 74 new troopers who graduated on Jan. 8.

“I’m loving it,” said Todd, who graduated from King’s Fork High School in 2011. “A little bit busy, but I’m loving it.”

Todd said he was inspired by a state trooper who lived next door to him when he was a child.

“I always wanted to be a trooper,” he said.

Todd said he picked the Sussex County area. The most rewarding part of his job is being able to help people, he said.

He recalled one incident recently where a mother and her four children had a flat tire during a snowstorm.

“I changed the tire for them and allowed the kids to sit in my patrol vehicle,” he said. “I enjoy doing that type of stuff and helping people out.”

Bailey also knew as a young man that he wanted to go into law enforcement, although he was torn between that and the military.

“I think my personality just kind of pulled that way,” he said.

His father was a U.S. Navy officer, so he traveled the world as a youngster. They settled down in Carrollton about 12 years ago, and Bailey went to Bethel Christian School in Hampton.

He attended Virginia Military Institute and decided there that he would narrow his career path to law enforcement.

“I’m in the Army Reserves as well, so I have a little bit of both worlds,” he said.

He talked to troopers and local law enforcement friends of his and decided that working for the state police was more his style.

Bailey said he has enjoyed his new career so far.

“Making traffic stops, you’d be surprised, that’s sometimes where you get into stuff, whether it be suspended drivers, wanted people, etc.,” he said.

But positive interactions are the best part of the job, he said.

“I enjoy really getting to know the community.”