CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The halls of a jail are not a place you'd expect to hear laughter. But when Darian Cuthbertson is on duty, you have to be on your toes.

  • Darian Cuthbertson is a detention officer who says the real work starts when he clocks out. 
  • More Spectrum News Everyday Heroes
  • Nominate someone at everydayheroes@charter.com

Cuthbertson has worked just about every job at the Mecklenburg County Jail.

Today, he's a hearing officer. But the toughest part of his job he said is seeing the same inmates again and again.

"Seeing a young man come through and he may start off at 18, and then I see him again 10 years from now; he's kind of going through the same things, so that's kind of hard," Cuthbertson said.

Perhaps it's why Cuthbertson said the real work starts after he clocks out.

A middle school football game isn't a place most people think of going to after a day of work, but Cuthbertson is here all the time.

Every day after work he sheds his work clothes to volunteer coach and mentor kids in Charlotte.

"I love to give back. I love the teaching part of it and I love to see the finished product of it," Cuthbertson said.

Anshon Camp is one of the kids Cuthbertson works with closely. The eight grader is quarterback. His aunt calls him a fighter, but a few months ago strength was hard to find when his mom passed away.

During that difficult time Cuthbertson was by his side. 

"He was just like keep pushing, it's going to be okay, everything happens for a reason," Camp said.

For some kids, it would be too much to handle, but Cuthbertson is there when Camp and other kids need him.

"He cares and he sees talent in us, and he wants to see us make it one day," Camp said.

Cuthbertson doesn't just work with these kids because it feels good he wants to make sure he doesn't see them at his day job.

"We talk about it at practice and after practice, about what I do during the day and what I do after work, and make sure I always see you after work and not at work," Cuthbertson said. "Don't make the same mistakes that I see other people make."

Cuthbertson doesn't just live to work he teaches so others can live their lives free.

If you have an idea for our next Everyday Hero please email us at everydayheroes@charter.com