New Hartley police officer Joshua Petrich felt a career in law enforcement calling him at a young age.

"I was actually going to go to school to be a teacher, but my senior year I was set up to go on a ride along with the Estherville Police Department," he recalled. "It seemed like the right place to be and felt like what I wanted to do."

Petrich was hired as Hartley's third full-time police officer in May. He replaced Caleb Creech, who left Hartley in April for a new job with the Emmet County Sheriff's Department.

Petrich, 22, began duties in the City With a Heart on June 15. He holds an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice from Iowa Lakes Community College and has past experience serving as a reserve officer for the Estherville Police Department. He also worked security for private businesses throughout northwest Iowa.

A native of Graettinger, Petrich is no stranger to small town life.

"I like the town," he said of Hartley. "I like that it's a tight-knit community and I like that everybody knows each other."

Petrich has spent the past four weeks training under Chief Joe Hengeveld's wing. Most of the calls have concerned fireworks.

"Other than that, it's been pretty quiet in town so far," he said.

Petrich will begin a 10-week course with the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in September to become certified. When he's not patrolling Hartley streets and keeping the community safe, he enjoys golfing, working out and watching movies.

"My goal is to do my job to the best of my abilities," he said.