Donald M. Bartlett was born in Jackson, MS, where he lived until he attended college at Delta State University. He graduated from Delta State in 1992 after receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with an academic minor in Spanish. He joined the U.S. Army in 1992 and served in the 24th Infantry Division(Mechanized) for more than four years. After achieving the rank of Captain, he left the Army to pursue a career in law enforcement. He has a total of eight years of law enforcement experience and is currently serving as an officer with the Mississippi State University Police Department. He is married and lives in Sturgis. He enjoys all types of outdoor recreation, especially deer hunting and fishing. He is an musician and currently plays guitar and mandolin in a local acoustic music group.