Just a day before his 21st birthday, Son Erikson was sworn in as Nome's newest police officer. He was joined by family, city staff and fellow members of the Nome Police Department at the Friday morning ceremony.
After graduating from Nome-Beltz in 2024, Erikson pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Alaska Anchorage. During a visit to Nome, Erikson said he started talking with Nome Police Department Chief Mike Heintzelman about a long-term return to Nome.
“I got to talking with the chief in the gym one day, and I really just thought no better place than home,” Erikson said.
Erikson has the build of a former wrestler, although he’s a bit taller than when he last represented the Nanooks on the mats. He’s still a regular visitor to the gym, something Heintzelman said will suit him well for the physically demanding job of police officer.
But Erikson is also soft-spoken. In an interview with KNOM, Erikson would take a beat to think before responding to questions, often in a calm and straightforward manner.
“I can get out of that if I need to,” Erikson said. “All that definitely matters because there's de-escalation, and then times when you can't de-escalate something, obviously. I think having a calm mindset definitely helps to de-escalate, which can be the best scenario.”
Erikson has already spent several months shadowing other NPD officers. While he’s the youngest member of the department, Heintzelman said he’s already got a leg-up on more senior officers from outside the region.
“He knows every street. He knows every location. He knows the people. So if he gets a call at a certain location, he's going to know which way is the fastest way to go,” Heintzelman said.
Heintzelman glows when speaking about Erikson. He said he comes from a great family, has a good moral compass, and begrudgingly admitted he can lift more in the weight room.
For years, the Nome Common Council has implored police leadership to bring in more local officers. Heintzelman said the hire of Erikson is a step in the right direction, but filling positions remains difficult. Erikson will serve the same two week on, two week off rotation as officers from outside the region. For now, he’s working 12 hour graveyard shifts without weekends.
“I get off, sleep for as long as I'm asleep for, and then wake up, go to the gym, get ready for work, and all over again,” Erikson said.
Next year, Erikson will undergo a 15 week training program at the Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy in Sitka. Upon completion in May, he’ll return to Nome and begin serving full-time.
Erikson was joined at the ceremony by his parents Corey Erikson and Kim Erikson and brothers Young Erikson and Junyor Erikson. He said their support has meant “everything” to him, and that he hopes to make them and the community of Nome proud.
“I'm just extremely excited to serve, protect, give back to the people that raised me, people that made me who I am,” he said.
As of Friday morning, Erikson had earned his badge but not his gun. For that, he’s headed to the Sunset Firing Range with Heintzelman for one final test.
