WVU Police Officer Becomes Internet Sensation with National Anthem Performance

West Virginia University police officer Carlton Smith captured the internet’s heart with a remarkable national anthem performance at a men’s basketball game.

On January 12, Smith was on duty at the WVU Coliseum when university officials urgently needed a replacement for the scheduled singer delayed by snow. Smith, a 28-year-old officer and four-year veteran of the WVU Police Department, is well-known for his singing talent. He even reached the Hollywood round of “American Idol” in its 13th season. Despite his experience, the last-minute request to perform before a crowd of 14,000 took him by surprise.

Recalling the moment, Smith said, “They asked if I was Carlton and said they needed a big favor. I asked for some water, and they got it from a cheerleader. Then they walked me to the court and told me to start singing when my name was called.”

The YouTube video of Smith’s performance has garnered over 2 million views. Smith, who began singing in church as a child, continues to perform at open mic nights with a band during his off-duty hours. “It’s what I love to do,” he shared.