When he first walked onto Laurel Ridge Community College’s Middletown Campus – at the time, the college’s only campus – more than 40 years ago, Page Campbell had no idea that one day towards the end of his career he would be responsible for the well-being of the college’s students, faculty and staff. For the past 10 years, he has served as a member of the Laurel Ridge Community College Police Department.
Following his graduation from Luray High School in 1982, Officer Campbell, didn’t envision spending 40-plus years in law enforcement.
“I actually received a presidential scholarship from Luray High School and went to the Middletown Campus, which at the time was only one building and the one parking lot,” Officer Campbell remembered. “My family wasn’t poor, but going to a four-year university back then wasn’t within my realm of possibility. Back then, it was a short commute from Luray to Middletown. Some of my buddies took turns driving. There were four or five of us.”
Originally, Officer Campbell hoped to become a park ranger or naturalist, so he took numerous biology-related classes, many of which were taught by Natural Resources Management Professor Emeritus Rob Simpson.
After his first year at Laurel Ridge, Officer Campbell transferred to Chowan College – now Chowan University – in North Carolina, where he played football for a year before returning to Laurel Ridge to continue his studies.
In 1985, Officer Campbell learned that Elkton Police Department in Rockingham County was hiring. He got the job.
“I just stayed in law enforcement the rest of my career,” he said. “Along the way, my background in biology has been beneficial.”
In 1988, Officer Campbell was hired by Luray Police Department, where he would stay until retiring in 2015.
Page Campbell, on the left, while a young student.
“I held every rank throughout the department, and was the chief for the last 20 years,” he said.
He also continued his education through various law enforcement trainings, including attending the prestigious FBI National Academy – something fewer than 1 percent of police officers achieve. Officer Campbell, who continues to live in Luray, graduated from the 12-week academy in 2009.
After retiring at age 52, Officer Campbell joined the Laurel Ridge Police Department on a part-time basis in 2016. He was hired by Chief Jay Roy, who had previously worked with him in Luray.
“I came full circle,” he said. “I started at Laurel Ridge, and I ended up here at the end of my career, right back where I started.”
Officer Campbell remembered shortly after joining the campus police, he was on duty at his alma mater, Luray High School, which was hosting the Laurel Ridge commencement ceremony. Professor Simpson pulled in and spotted his former student.
“I had just retired, and he said, ‘Something’s wrong – I’m still working and you’re retired,’” Officer Campbell laughed.
Working on a college campus is worlds away from working the streets, according to Officer Campbell, who is assigned to the Fauquier Campus.
“The difference is 99.9 percent of the people who are at the college want to be there, or they’re faculty or staff or students,” he said. “It’s a better atmosphere. You have time to actually greet everybody and talk to people. I’m in more of a relaxed environment and have more of a community policing role. But, we’re still well trained to handle whatever comes our way.”
This summer, Office Campbell was named the Excellence in Support Part-Time Staff Award winner.
Beginning in early 2026, Officer Campbell will be reducing his hours.
“I will be 62 in November, so it’s time to cut back even more,” he said.
Officer Campbell and his wife, Darlene, have three daughters and seven grandchildren.
“This, my family, is what I am most proud of in my life,” he said.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.