Jackson State University Assistant Chief, Eric B. Stanton, began his law enforcement career in the United States Air Force (USAF) as a Security Forces member. While stationed at Keesler Air Force Base, Biloxi, MS, Stanton was deployed to Eskan Village Saudi Arabia and Talil Air Base, Nasiriyah, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). During his time in the Air Force, Stanton was awarded several ribbons and medals for his service, including: Air Force Achievement Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
Honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, Stanton would begin his civilian law enforcement career by joining the Jackson Police Department (JPD). Upon his graduation from the Jackson Police Training Academy, he was recognized as the Most Distinguished Graduate and Most Outstanding Academic Graduate of the JPD 53rd police recruit class. He served the community of Precinct 4 as well as the entire City of Jackson as a member of the Direct-Action Response Team (DART). JPD awarded Stanton a commendation and the Rotary Club of North Jackson awarded him two Officer of the Quarter awards for his dedication and service to the citizens of Jackson, MS.
After leaving JPD, Assistant Chief Stanton served the State of Mississippi as an Emergency Management (EM) Specialist for the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA). He served as an emergency management trainer and traveled throughout the State of Mississippi teaching emergency management to various agencies and community stakeholders. During disasters, Stanton served in MEMA’s Emergency Operation Center (EOC) as a member of the planning section, tracking critical information vital to response and recovery from disasters.
Since joining JSU Department of Public Safety under the leadership of Chief Herman Horton, Stanton has coordinated law enforcement patrol efforts, collaborated with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure special events on and off campus are properly secured. Chief Horton nominated Stanton for the 2023 Top Cop/Officer of the Year Award which is given annually by the Mississippi Center for Police and Sheriffs Association.
When he is not working at JSU DPS, Stanton serves as a member of the City of Jackson Public Safety Taskforce. He is a 2019 graduate of the Mississippi Black Leadership Institute and the First Vice President for the Jackson City Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Stanton holds a Master of Arts Degree in Criminology and Justice Services from JSU, a Bachelor of Science Degree in Administration of Justice from Mississippi College, an Associate of Arts Degree from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) and is currently pursuing a graduate certificate in Disaster Preparedness and Community Resilience from Jackson State University. Stanton is married to Javonda Stanton and together they have a blended family of four children.
