Born in Tucson but raised in Miami, Ariz., Williams moved to Phoenix at 19 to attend Eastern Arizona College. He later earned his degree in computer- aided drafting technology from Mesa Community College. He spent his next nine years designing custom cabinetry. "I felt stuck," Williams said.

Since he can remember, Williams said he wanted to be a police officer. With the economy in decline, Williams was forced to decide whether he wanted to be a designer or do what he loves. "It was now or never," Williams said.

Williams graduated from the Tucson Police Academy and joined the force last October. He was originally offered a position at both the Tucson Police Department and the Tombstone Police Department. While he's always loved the Tombstone area, he kept his position at the Tucson Police Department to keep his daily commute from Phoenix shorter.

For the next nine months, Williams patrolled the south side of Tucson, responding to one call after another. "You can imagine the calls I was responding to," he said.

"Home invasions, armed robberies, you just had to pick which one you wanted to go to next; Tucson is not a place you want to live right now."

Tucson's city manager has asked for 15 percent cuts from every department.

According to the Tucson Fire Department, these cuts could result in as many as 200-300 local jobs lost. "We don't have much to cut. It's going to look at people," said Tucson Fire Chief Patrick Kelly.

Unlike Tucson, Tombstone is not facing the same detrimental cuts to its department. According to Marshal Larry Talvy, the city has been very frugal with its money.

With its savings, they were able to hire one more person to "make it a little bit easier on the department."

Under the stress of commuting and looming budget cuts, Williams resigned from his position with the Tucson Police Department and relocated his wife and two boys to Tombstone where a position was waiting for him.

"I felt he was one of our best candidates. He displays maturity, professionalism. He's not overbearing. He'll do just fine here at the department," said Talvy.

After only three days on the job, Williams said he noticed significant differences between the two cities.

"In Tombstone, you get a call and you get the opportunity to follow it from beginning to end," Williams said. "The 'serve and protect' in Tucson is a lot of call running, but in Tombstone you actually get to serve."

Williams excitedly looks forward to working with the department and sharpening his skills under Talvy's guidance. "In Tucson you work under sergeants and lieutenants but you don't get a lot of interaction with them," said Williams. "When there's a crime in Tucson it usually gets handed over to a detective. I look forward to learning from the marshal on just how to do that detective work."

Talvy also anticipates great things surrounding the department's newest addition. "With another full-time member we can continue to do the work we're doing, but we can do better with public and officer safety."