Episode #15 (Voices of Valor: Justin Barton) Season #1 Finale

In this powerful Season 1 finale episode, we sit down with Justin Barton — a firefighter, dispatcher, and now patrol deputy whose journey through public safety has been shaped by service, loss, resilience, and the harsh realities that many never see. Justin began his career in July 2018 as a volunteer firefighter with Leadwood Fire Protection District. In 2019, he joined Irondale Fire, encouraged by Tyler, who also urged him to pursue dispatching. Justin went on to serve at Washington County Central Dispatch before moving to St. Francois County Joint Communications Center, all while remaining active with both fire districts. In February 2023, Justin earned the rank of Lieutenant at Irondale Fire — but the months that followed would test him in unimaginable ways. Within a short span, Justin experienced the loss of a close friend in an officer-involved shooting, handled a 911 call with an armed subject during another shooting, and arrived to work only to learn that his officers were engaged in a standoff following yet another critical incident. Those moments — heavy, traumatic, and unforgettable — led Justin into his next chapter: law enforcement. Today, he serves as a Patrol Deputy with the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, where he has worked for the past 2.5 years.