True Police
Stories
"Courage is the ability to move;
when all around you are frozen in fear
and no one would blame you if you did nothing at all."
Capt. Click. Phx. PD
My Name is Jeff Hernandez
Taken from the book Think
About it... for your reading convenience
I’ve been called “Jeff” almost the entire time I have been in this, “The Valley
of the Sun.” I embark
on this moment to complete my writings with great heaviness in my heart and I
sit here in tears
sobbing about what I am about to describe. My tears obstruct my vision of my
keyboard at times. I
am truly humble to be thought of well enough to submit this small contribution.
I was close to twenty years of age when I decided to become a police officer. I
was influenced by a
dear friend who had only begun as a reserve officer with the Globe Police
Department. In my youth,
I was very inactive as a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints. As it turned out,
I was looking for something in my life. Something much more than a badge. It was
with my first
agency that I found two friends by the names of Jim and Sandy. They both so
impressed me. Their
impact was that of a caring brother and sister. Through their example, I so
wanted to have a family such as they had, and I wanted something else as well, ...a testimony!
I wanted a testimony of the gospel!
A testimony of the truthfulness of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Throughout my life it has been others that have strengthened and made my
testimony what it is today.
Jim and Sandy are a big part of it. They’ve had their own problems and
challenges along the way but
I pray our Lord and Savior will look kindly upon them and help them with the
many favors and
blessings they stand in need of, for all the many things they have done for
others.
A testimony is not what we have but what we build.
We build it from the examples of those around us in our lives.
We build it from the things we study, ponder and pray about.
So many people have helped to build mine as well. I don’t consider myself a
strong macho man, but
I am a sizable 6 foot 3 inch, 270 pound Motor Officer. I wear shiny black boots
that come up to my
knees, a shiny blue and white helmet with the department shield on the front of
it. I wear dark shaded
sunglasses and I carry a gun. From the bottom of my boots to the top of my
helmet, I’m almost 6 foot
6. I’m probably one of the biggest motor officers you will ever see. I guess
some may think that’s
macho. But that’s not the thing or the strength that I seek. I have been made
strong through the
testimony that many have helped to build. I have met both good and bad,
experienced both happy and
sad, throughout my career as a police officer and it is they that have made this
impact on me.
With over twenty-one years of law enforcement experience and three different
agencies, there aren’t
many horror scenes I haven’t seen. I’ve been a motor officer for six of those
years. During that time,
I’m not sure how many fatalities I’ve been to or how many dead and mangled
bodies I’ve seen. Nor
do I know how many broken and destroyed families I’ve had to deal with. I try
not to keep track of
those things. I could tell you many stories, but the stories I’ve chosen to tell
you are very personal
and are of great meaning and worth to me.
Many years ago, on a dark night at 2230, as a patrol officer with the Globe
Police Department, I
received a call I would never forget. The call came in as a domestic violence
call. I remember it as
though I was there right now. The man who had been involved in an argument with
his estranged
wife, was outside, standing in the driveway. Their home was a mobile home and
appeared to be very
run down. To this day, I don’t remember what their fight was about. Officers
will tell you that most
families in this predicament don’t remember either.
When I got there, there he stood. He was in the wash at the entrance to the
drive with his side arm
strapped to his side. He was ready to protect his home, his honor and his good
name. He was ready
to protect them to the death of one or both of us if that’s what it took. We
stood approximately six
feet apart. Tension was high. My hand never went toward my revolver. I wasn’t
stunned or frozen
but immediately began embarking on silent prayer to my Heavenly Father. As I did
so, I felt this most
relaxed feeling come over me and for some reason all the right words came to my
mind and after my
prayer, I conversed with the man. We had this stand off for nearly twenty
minutes. Finally it was over
and all was resolved peacefully. Both of us would be able to return to our
families and live one more
day. I left with a prayer of gratitude in my heart.
Man is an impatient soul but our Heavenly Father is quite the opposite.
I know and believe this with all my heart.
One day Tucson Police Dept. called and requested that we check an address. They
had been
investigating the homicide of an eighteen year old girl. One of their leads for
the next of kin, led to
a family in Globe. They requested that the possible family in our city, phone
them for the unfortunate
news of a dead family member. The dispatcher gave that call to me. “How could I
tell them such a
thing,” I thought! Somehow the official message lost some accuracy in my
ultimate assignment. I was
given the task of delivering that message, but what would I say and how would I
say it. I met the
family and delivered the message as given me. The mother was devastated. She
had given her daughter up for adoption at birth. Nearly eighteen years had gone
by and she never
knew her daughter. They met shortly before her death. They both re-united and
had a wonderful
month together. They vowed to never separate again except for living in
different communities.
My testimony was greatly shaken. How could our Lord let this happen.
To have and to lose all of this so quickly,
and at the hands of a suspect so reckless.
I realized that I was only being selfish to think this way. This poor lady
needed all that I had. She
must have been miles lower than I was. Again I relied on the Lord for help and I
stretched deep down
into my soul to bring up all that I could to help her. I bore testimony of my
beliefs and about her
daughter that I didn’t even know. I spoke the things I felt in my heart to tell
her. I assured her of
Heavenly Father’s plan, our plan of salvation.
Sometimes, we the police, ask if family, neighbors or clergy can be called to
assist people in times of
loss but that wasn’t necessary here. I was all that she needed and the Lord
provided all that I needed.
I truly thank my Heavenly Father for His masterful help. After perhaps thirty
minutes, we
made that call to Tucson PD and we made it together. I know she will never be
alone again. For a
couple of years, while I was still with Globe PD, I received birthday cards and
I know it was her way
to say thanks and to commemorate her daughter’s birthday.
A testimony doesn’t always come upon you from your own experiences
but sometimes comes from the experiences of others.
Experiences both good and bad.
Sometimes I wonder if it was a loving Heavenly Father that knew she would soon
lose her life and
allowed a mother and her daughter to meet at this last possible moment. To allow
them to become
friends and to fall in love. I believe they think of each other often and I
believe they will look for each
other on the other side. I also believe that I was sent and given the words to
say to tie things over
until they meet again someday.
For the past ten years I have worked for the Mesa Police Department. In December
of 1995, I was
assigned to the East Valley Task Force. It’s a highly selective enforcement
unit. The target is DUI
drivers. One of the many stops I made was on a 60's model Volkswagen. I watched
it make a u-turn
in front of a fast approaching car. A definite clue of impairment. I pulled in
behind the VW and pulled
it over. I knew I had a drunk driver. To my surprise, out stepped a young,
unintoxicated and very
excited female. She said, “I know officer I am in the wrong and you should
ticket me. My taillights
don’t work, my plates are expired, and I just lost my place to live. Do you know
of anyone that needs
a house sitter? After I leave the temple tonight, I won’t have a place to go!”
Her accent was heavy English and she was most curious. She didn’t hesitate to
speak of her work in
what she called the Lord’s House. I learned that she had come from England with
$80.00. She came
to what she thought would be a land of opportunity. She took up a position
working as a volunteer
at the Mesa Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ward
members took up the
tasks of helping her get established here but the helping family took hard times
and she lost the home
she was staying at. At one point, she told me that she was a Mormon. Planning on
having fun with
her for a short time and as I stood there towering above her I asked “What is a
Mormon.” She spoke
quickly and worked with ease at answering my inquiries. I replied with many more
questions and she,
doubting nothing, answered all without any hesitation. What a powerful testimony
she had and what
a wonderful example she was for me.
Before we parted, I told her of my beliefs and that I too was a Mormon.
What a thrilling stop it was for me. I told many of my friends about it.
...And oh yes, I didn’t ticket her!
I have sat at night, when all my family was in bed and sleeping and have thought
of dying and leaving
this life. I feel so saddened and even a little, no, even a lot scared. My
relief comes when I think of
the plan of salvation and the work my Lord has for me to do. Our life is so
short here and much more
is planned for each and every one of us. We are all brothers and sisters in God,
and as brothers and
sisters, I pray that my messages have brought to some of you a sense of urgency.
A strength of
knowing that none of us are strong but only weak unless we grow within ourselves
and build a
testimony to share with others. I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ died
that we might have
everlasting life. That a plan was set forth for all of us in the pre-existence
and that I cheered that plan
when it was prepared. I pray that all my brothers and sisters come to know this
plan so they too might
sit alone at night, fearing not, but knowing they too are of this plan. I know
that the Lord Jesus Christ
lives and I know that this is His true Church.
Of these things I testify,
in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Motor Officer Thomas J. Hernandez Badge #8419.
Author's note: It's easy and common to say
about someone after they die that they were a well respected person, but Jeff
really was: very well respected. On Sunday morning the 5th of August, 2001, I
heard about Jeff's sudden and unexpected death. It impacted me so much that I
sat down and in a couple of hours my feelings were out on paper. I called them:
Gentle Ben...
He stood 6 foot 6 from the top of his helmet to the soul of his boots.
I remember looking at him and wondering where he got his roots.
When you shook his hand, it felt like you were holding a bear’s paw.
And for twenty-seven years, he’d been a representative of the law.
At two hundred and sixty pounds, he was as thick as a tree stump.
And if he needed to, he’d yell and his voice could make you jump.
On the family fights we’d been on, I noticed he’d fill the hallway
and I’d seen mouthy people be more careful of what they’d say.
Jeff could be stern if he needed. He was brave, he was big, he was tall.
You could see his command presence when he’d walk up on your call.
But even though he was big and commanding, a giant among men,
he was one of the nicest guys I’d met. He reminded me of Gentle Ben.
He never thought it funny to hurt, demean or browbeat others.
He was different, never forgetting all of us are sisters and brothers.
It was an odd thing for a police officer of twenty-seven years
to be moved by compassion for others and sometimes shed tears.
One of the things I liked the most was that he was an honest man inside.
To him, being an honest man was a matter of honor and pride.
But now he is gone and many friends and loved ones wonder why.
Why did a man who enjoyed life and family so, ...suddenly die?
Now he visits with friends and family as he waits for those he loves.
And he watches them from a hidden place, not so far above.
Though much more difficult now, he’ll help them where he can.
He hasn’t gone far, he loves them still, it’s part of the Lord’s plan.
Death is only a parting of company for what may seem a long time.
But they will see him again and this time his countenance will shine.
He’ll do well on judgement day because of how he chose to live.
He was good to his family, kind to others and always willing to give.
Though an officer, Jeff was first a family man. He had his priorities
straight.
There is a mansion for him above and he’ll be welcome at the Pearly Gate.
There is a lesson in the way he lived, he wasn’t consumed with things or
strife.
He knew all that counted is not who you were ...but how you lived your life.
Officer Samuel Jeppsen #3751 (Ret) R# 140,
Sunday morning, August 5th,
2001
www.LDSCOPS.com
To a fellow officer and friend forever, Big Jeff Hernandez #8419
121653 to 080401
If you are or were a police officer,
soldier, fireman
or wife, mother, father of such or some other branch of emergency
personnel
and would like to share an unusual testimony building experience with
others,
please contact us for details at
Samuel@ldscops.com
or use the link on the front page of this site at
www.LDSCOPS.com
Thank you and God bless,