Deputy Danielle Woodard achieved her goal of earning a place on the Special Operation Unit (SWAT) of the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Office on March 16, making her the first female ever to be selected for the team in the department’s history.

Making the SWAT team has been Woodard’s goal since graduating from the regional police academy in Hampton Roads. In May 2020, she was hired as a deputy at the Gloucester Sheriff’s Office.

Before deciding to become an officer, Woodard graduated from Gloucester High School in 2013 and worked for Verizon and later as a veterinary technician. During this time, she also completed her associate’s degree in criminal justice from Rappahannock Community College. Woodard never thought she would be able to be a police officer, but completed her goal in only two years’ time.

“It’s always something I wanted to do,” said Woodard about becoming a deputy.

To make the SWAT unit, she had to have 18 months’ experience in law enforcement. As soon as she ...