Meet Hernandez from the LCC Class of 2024
Jose Hernandez was born in Puerto Rico and his grandfather moved his entire family- aunts; uncles; cousins, etc., to New York when he was an infant. The family initially lived in a six-story building but finding that space too confining, they relocated to Philadelphia, PA. There his mother worked in the nearby Nerf Factory while Hernandez attended AK McClure Elementary School followed by Olney High School, where he graduated in 1987. He was working at KFC as well as security for the Budweiser Plant when he started at Temple University in the law program. He wanted to be a peace officer because he “wanted to help people.” After two-years at Temple, the tuition increased, and Hernandez dropped out. Determined to work in law enforcement, he attended the Philadelphia, PA, Police Academy and passed, becoming a peace officer in 1990.
He worked in law enforcement for the City of Philadelphia for a year before moving to Cleveland. Starting over in a new city meant a new life and career. He soon learned that his peace officer training didn’t transfer to Ohio, so he set his mind on completing the training to work in law enforcement. In 1991 he met his future wife, and they married in 1992. During this time, he was working at K-Mart in shipping and receiving and in 1998 he started at Cuyahoga Community College in their Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTA) Private Security Guard Program. His family had also grown, and he now had three children. His in-laws had moved to Columbus, and his wife would often spend weekends with her family there when Hernandez was in classes. He graduated from the academy in 1993, and following a “vacation” to Columbus, he “fell in love” with the area and missing his family there, he moved there.
He began working at The Mall at Tuttle Crossing as a security guard and again attended the OPOTA to become a peace officer. To attend the academy, Hernandez needed to find a police department that would sponsor him. Clintonville Police Department (Clinton Township) had heard of a bilingual candidate in need of a sponsor, so they offered to sponsor him. He continued to work full-time security at Tuttle Crossing while attending the academy at Delaware JVS and working as a reserve officer for Clinton Township. Not long after graduation from the academy, budget cuts in Clinton Township caused Hernandez to be let go. Undaunted, he applied for a special deputy position with Franklin County Sheriff’s Department. To keep his commission, Hernandez needed to work 10 hours per month with a police department, so he was willing to accept part-time positions while working security. After a year with Franklin County, Hernandez applied for a position with Perry Township/Dublin. At every police department he worked for, Hernandez received “more training and got better and better and better.”
2010 was a bittersweet year for Hernandez as he and his wife got divorced, and he left the Perry Township Police Department. After eight years at Tuttle Crossing, and receiving the rank of sergeant, Hernandez left that position as well to accept a security position at Ohio Health – Doctor’s Hospital West in Columbus. He worked at Ohio Health for nine years; remarried and divorced a second time and then found a position as the site supervisor for the Ohio National Guard. He held that position for 18 months before he began looking again for police officer jobs. Hernandez admitted that “it was hard to go through two divorces; was depressed and relied on the Lord” to make decisions.
In 2020, he saw a part-time to full-time position on Indeed for the West Lafayette Police Department. With nothing to lose, he applied and began working weekends, 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. He was “nervous at first” as he “only knew the village and not the county,” having to learn a new area and county. After a year he was hired full-time and served briefly as acting chief. Always wanting to expand his knowledge, Hernandez went to school to become a field training officer. This training would enable him to train others “how to do their jobs:” conduct; ethics; paperwork, etc. Eventually promoted to lieutenant, Hernandez purchased a home in Coshocton in 2021, and in 2022, a school resource officer (SRO) position with Ridgewood Local Schools became available. Hernandez “knew the kids; liked the kids” and wanted this position. Offered the position, Hernandez then attended SRO School.
He began in the Ridgewood Schools in the fall of 2022 where his focus is on building relationships with the students and staff. He engages and collaborates to address student and school needs as they relate to behavior issues, respect, and self-respect. He does this by “getting to know all the school counselors” and asks them “how can he help, as they know the students well.” He views his role as “here to help; move forward to give the kids a better, brighter day.” He does this by helping students with their schoolwork and makes referrals to afterschool and community programs. He works hard to get to know the students and connects with them on their level playing football, basketball, etc. He is a positive role model in the schools, and encourages youth to “learn; do better and be better.”
One of his passions is the West Lafayette Bike Club, started in the summer of 2023. With permission from the chief of police and additional training to become a certified bike patrolman, Hernandez uses the club to “bridge the gap over the summer; teach about bike safety and keep in touch with the kids.” Fundraisers were held to purchase shirts and snacks for participants; and bikes and helmets were purchased for those in needs. Last year saw about 18 youth participate weekly and during the 90 minutes they had together, Hernandez would “ride around West Lafayette; hang out; and watch baseball games” with the kids. There was no cost for the youth, and Hernandez added adult volunteer chaperones who rode along. The club garnered “good response from the community” and Hernandez hopes to hold it again in 2024.
Beyond the Bike Club, Hernandez recently joined the West Lafayette Masonic Lodge. He hopes to get involved on volunteer boards as well.
Missy Grimmett, School Counselor for Ridgewood Elementary School, referred Hernandez to Leadership Coshocton County to learn about the history and community as well as meet people. Hernandez said, “It’s good to have a relationship with people that have shared stories. I’ve learned from my classmates; learned a lot about the community. This program is opening windows to opportunities. It’s nice to know organizations like this exist; I didn’t find it in Columbus.” Hernandez is “having a good time with it” and appreciates learning from his partner, Hannah, during the curriculum chapter review. “It helps to put things in real-life perspective” he says, “I enjoy sharing.”
Of the community, Hernandez said, “I’ve never experienced anything like West Lafayette. It’s supportive; open; friendly; communicative. Everyone knows everyone. They are open to what the police department is doing. A great part of the community is being able to be there for their needs. I love it here; it’s nice and my stress level has come down tremendously. The community knows what it has in the local police and fire departments. We’re very fortunate to have what we have.”
To make the county stronger, Hernandez suggests “having leaders in place that think as a whole and not one. Leaders that make a difference inside and outside of school. Resources to invest in the schools and kids. Leaders that align with community needs; it’s not always about money but about needs. Keep kids engaged; don’t take away from their education.”
Hernandez would recommend Leadership Coshocton for others, stating, “I think it’s a great program. It offers opportunities for growth; sets you up for success and opens up windows of opportunities. You build relationships while you find out who you really are/what you are made of. Since joining, I’ve learned a lot about Coshocton and learned from others what matters and an understanding of the community. It’s a good class.”
Hernandez closed his interview by saying, “I am where I belong. I love my life; love this community. I enjoy helping others and building relationships in the school. I’m honored to work in the schools and work with students. They are ‘our kids’ – we need to teach them and guide them. The teachers aren’t just ‘teachers’ but walk with them during their pain and suffering. They’re appreciated, but I’m not sure how much. I want to give as much as I can – to be remembered for what I did. I’m blessed to be here; this is my passion; what I was meant to do.”
Category: Clubs & Organizations
