By Sarah Roebuck
JACKSON, Tenn. — A police officer by night, a filmmaker by day: That’s how Officer Jaron Lockridge describes himself.
In an intriguing blend of law enforcement and cinema, Lockridge has created a niche for himself as a filmmaker. With over a decade of experience in law enforcement since 2010, Lockridge has managed to carve out time for his passion for storytelling, resulting in his latest movie, “The Stix.”
Set in fictional Madman County, Tennessee, “The Stix” tells the gripping story of a group of narcotics investigators pursuing a local kingpin. Initially started as a web series in 2018, Lockridge decided to transform it into a full-length feature film. This transition was largely inspired by the memory of his close friend, Jackson Firefighter Larry Triplett Jr., who was an ardent supporter of Lockridge’s creative endeavors until he died in June 2023 following an extended illness.
"[Larry] just was a believer in me and my talent when it came to writing and when we did the web series ‘The Stix’, it was like a seven-episode web series that’s on YouTube at the moment, and he just loved that show,” Lockridge recalled.
For Lockridge, filmmaking is more than just a creative outlet; it’s a way to cope with the stresses of his job as an officer. His dual career as a police officer and filmmaker is a testament to his resilience and dedication to storytelling, offering a unique perspective that enriches his films and resonates with audiences.
A hobby outside of law enforcement
Lockridge’s filmmaking journey began in high school with a theater arts class. His early experiences in writing and stage play laid the foundation for his future in filmmaking. Although life led him to a career in law enforcement, the creative itch never left him. Heeding advice from an academy instructor to find a hobby outside of police work, Lockridge returned to writing around 2015. With the help of technology and self-teaching, he honed his skills and launched his production company, Misguided Perceptions Media Group, in 2016.
While “The Stix” isn’t based on a true story, it’s infused with Lockridge’s real-life experiences as a police officer. He draws on these encounters to add authenticity to his characters and dialogue.
“I feel like I’m a unique point of view because I deal with so many people during my career, so I can authentically say how a mother would deal with grieving when she’s lost a son to gunfire on the streets, or how this guy would react if he’s arrested, found with a house full of drugs ... I have these authentic experiences that I can relate to because I’ve seen them,” he explains.
One of Lockridge’s goals with his work is to humanize the badge. He aims to show that law enforcement officers are not superhuman but individuals who face the same struggles and challenges as anyone else.
“There’s this perception that police officers, EMS, firefighters, that we’re Superman ... like we don’t breathe and bleed like everybody else when we have the same temptations. We have the same ills; we have the same vices. It’s just how we deal with it when it comes to certain things,” Lockridge says. “So I just want to humanize the badge to show that we bleed and breathe just like everybody else. We’re human and that’s my intent to kind of put it out there as a filmmaker.”
The “Stix Universe”
Lockridge’s dedication to authenticity and real-life inspiration is evident in “The Stix.” The film features dialogue and character interactions that reflect the local culture and dialect. Lockridge hopes viewers will appreciate the genuine portrayal of life in rural Tennessee, as well as the cat-and-mouse dynamic between the officers and the kingpin.
Lockridge’s passion for storytelling doesn’t stop with “The Stix.” He has plans for what he calls the “Stix Universe,” a series of interconnected crime dramas set in the fictional Tennessee county. Without giving too much away, Lockridge said his next project, “Cubic Zirconia,” follows a detective introduced at the end of “The Stix” as he searches for missing children. Another film in the pipeline focuses on a gang unit in the city, promising more intricate narratives and compelling characters.
“The Stix” is currently available to rent on Apple TV and Amazon, with upcoming releases on Tubi, Roku and other ad-based platforms. Lockridge encourages viewers to follow his journey on social media and support independent filmmakers by rating his work on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes.