As a wife, mother of two children, and full-time police officer, it would be perfectly understandable if Erinn Martin, like many folks, spent “me” time watching TV or scrolling her phone.

But for the past four years, the White House Police Department (WHPD) sergeant opted to concentrate her off-the-clock hours on quenching her thirst.

For knowledge, that is. 

Erinn, a Princeton, Ky., native who’s been with the WHPD since 2010, just completed her doctorate degree in Strategic Leadership from Liberty University. This momentous feat followed the master’s and undergraduate degrees she had previously earned at Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky universities, respectively.

Dr. Martin now holds the distinction of being the first doctoral degree holder in WHPD history. Getting to this point, she shares, required equal parts dedication, determination, and discipline.

“There were a couple of times where I thought I may have bitten off more than I can chew,” confesses Erinn, who was able to take all of her courses online and avoid the long trek to Liberty’s campus in Lynchburg, Va. “But everyone kept encouraging me, telling me I could do it. And I’ve always been pretty tenacious about sticking with things. If I start something, I’m going to see it through to the end.”

Erinn credits her family and coworkers for providing that extra kick of motivation. Central among those supporters were her husband, Tommy Eisenbraun, a former WHPD officer who’s now a Detective with the Goodlettsville Police Department, and twin sister Emilee Cain, a 4th grade teacher at H.B. Williams Elementary School who earned her doctorate degree in 2016.

It was WHPD Assistant Chief Jim Ring who introduced Erinn to Liberty University, sharing the positive experience he had in earning his master’s degree there. The flexibility of the doctoral program allowed Erinn to keep her class load manageable with her duties as sergeant over the “A” staff patrol.

Erinn explains that her current role, coupled with a desire to grow into other opportunities within the WHPD, factored prominently into the decision to further her education.

“I want to spend the rest of my law enforcement career in White House, and I thought this would be a great chance to improve my leadership skills and put what I’ve learned into practice,” says Erinn. “There are so many aspects of the program that will help me become a better leader for the wonderful people I work with and the great community we serve.”

And for those on the fence about continuing their education, Erin gives a motivating message of her own:

“Just go for it! There are so many unproductive ways to pass time … why not have something that gives you a feeling of accomplishment to show for it.”