Corey Boothe knew from an early age that he wanted to become a police officer.

It only took until he was 34 years old to believe it for sure.

Boothe’s belief and work ethic led him to a recent promotion to lieutenant in the Opp Police Department.

The now-43-year-old said it was “humbling” to receive his promotion from OPD Chief Mike McDonald.

“It’s one of those things where it makes you feel real good about the job that you’ve done, especially,” he said. “It’s an honor for the people that are above you in rank to put that much trust in you, and to provide you that opportunity to be able to serve in the department and the community better. It’s really an honor.

“It’s a humbling experience,” he said.

The OHS graduate went to Auburn University for one year under a textile scholarship. Knowing that he’d be working behind a desk in the future, he realized college wasn’t his thing. Boothe came back home and worked at Micolas Mill, where he rose the ranks to supervisor.

By the time he was 34, Boothe said he believed it was the right time to join the OPD.

He began working with the OPD in 2006 as a patrolman. On the side, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Opp Fire Department until 2012.

Boothe was promoted to sergeant in 2009. As a sergeant, Boothe was the second shift supervisor before taking charge of the night shift.

After working on night shift, Boothe then worked the day shift under Lt. Eric Josey for the past three years.

Josey recently retired from the OPD, paving the way for McDonald to promote Boothe to lieutenant.

Boothe’s promotion is based on his years of performance and experience on the job.

As a lieutenant, Boothe will have more responsibility running the department, taking charge of other shifts and doing “whatever the chief sees fit.”

Boothe said working at the OPD is like working with one big family.

“It’s a great place for me to work,” he said. “When I say this I don’t mean any of the other departments are bad, but for me personally, this is the best place to work. It’s my home town. It’s where I grew up.

“I live five miles from the front door of the police department,” he said. “That makes me available quicker to respond if I need to come out.”

Boothe grew up in Opp and graduated from OHS in 1990.

Boothe is married to Kim Johnson Boothe, and the couple has a 16-year-old daughter, Emily.