Less than one year ago, Wesley Widner was in full uniform walking the streets of Huntsville, Alabama as a police office. Never knowing what each shift might bring, his days ran the spectrum, from responding to violent crime and theft to developing stronger relationships with the constituents on his beat.
For three years, he lived this unpredictable life of protecting and serving but sometimes life has other plans. A series of events would lead Wesley down an unexpected path – from protecting the streets of West Huntsville to preserving the digital security of global enterprises and their most sensitive assets.
The Turning Point
The wake-up call came when tragedy struck close to home. After a close friend and colleague, Albert Morin, survived a gunshot wound and another fellow officer, Garrett Crumby, lost their life in the line of duty, Wesley faced a difficult reality. With a wife at home and a baby on the way, he couldn’t bear the thought of his family living with the daily anxiety of wondering if he would return home safely each night.
“Every time I walked out the door, I could see the worry in my wife’s eyes,” Wesley recalls. “I knew something had to change.”
Finding a New Direction
Facing this existential crisis, Wesley found himself in search of guidance, so he reached out to an old mentor – his former baseball coach who had built a successful career in technology. The advice was crystal clear: get a Security+ certification and pursue an education in cybersecurity.
And with that, Wesley had the blueprint for his career transformation.
The Journey of Transformation
What followed was an intense period of dedication and determination. While maintaining his duties as a police officer, Wesley carved out every possible moment for study. His day would start before dawn, hitting the books before his 2:30 PM shift. During quiet moments between calls, he immersed himself in cybersecurity podcasts and literature. In the evening, after his shift ended, he continued to absorb more knowledge about his future field.
His first milestone was the Security+ certification. Armed with a CompTIA study package and practice tests, Wesley devoted six months to preparation. “I probably over-studied,” he admits with a laugh, “but I passed on the first try.”
Simultaneously, he enrolled in Liberty University’s online program, building upon his associate’s degree in criminal justice from Calhoun Community College. His dedication to education continues as he works toward completion in August 2025.
Breaking Into Cybersecurity
Wesley’s entry into the cybersecurity field is a testament to the power of networking and simply putting yourself out there. Through LinkedIn, he began the repetitive process of connecting to leaders in the cybersecurity space to express his willingness to intern and gain exposure. Fortune favored his initiative when a LinkedIn post of his was reshared and a leader at R3 took notice. It was this stroke of luck, made more likely and possible through hard work and dedication, that led to his first role as a Security Analyst I at R3.
From Street Patrol to Security Operations Center
Today, Wesley’s world looks different, but the core mission remains the same: protection. As a security analyst, he monitors alerts, investigates potential threats, and communicates with clients about security policies. His law enforcement background has proven invaluable in his new role, Wesley leans on the discipline and communication skills that he honed over those three years to effectively patrol the digital landscape of his clients.
“Cybersecurity professionals are digital cops,” Wesley explains. “The teamwork, communication skills, and ability to maintain composure under pressure – these are all things I learned on the force that I use every day in the Security Operations Center.”
When discussing essential job skills, Wesley shared a pivotal moment from his law enforcement career – receiving a life-saving medal after rescuing someone from a car wreck. But rather than dwelling on the heroics, he focused on what came immediately after: writing a detailed incident report while still processing the adrenaline rush. ‘In those moments, you have to stay composed and methodical,’ he explains. ‘The investigation process, the documentation, the attention to detail – it all has to be perfect, regardless of what you just experienced.’ This discipline of maintaining precise documentation under pressure became unexpectedly valuable in his cybersecurity career, where incident response and compliance requirements demand the same level of thorough, systematic reporting.
A Different Kind of Protection
While the stakes in cybersecurity might seem less immediate than law enforcement, Wesley understands their significance. “We’re protecting people’s livelihoods,” he says. “When we maintain a client’s security and reputation, we’re helping ensure their employees can keep paying their bills and maintaining their health insurance. It might not be life-or-death in the same way, but the impact on people’s lives is very real.”
Finding Community in a Remote World
The transition from the close-knit environment of law enforcement to remote work could have been challenging, but Wesley found an unexpectedly strong community at R3. The company’s welcoming culture, active group chats, and environment of “unmitigated support” have helped him thrive in his new career.
Wesley’s journey from police officer to cybersecurity professional shows that while career paths may change, the core values of protection, service, and dedication can remain constant. His story serves as an inspiration for anyone considering a career transition, proving that with determination and the right support, it’s possible to successfully pivot into cybersecurity – even from the most unexpected backgrounds.
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Please take a few moments to view the Officer Down Memorial page and pay respects for the heroic acts of Officer Garrett Crumby, here.
