I have the heart of a protector. So many people in my life tell me that they cannot imagine me in a role where I am not trying to protect and serve those around me. Even as a young child, I would always try to stick up for those around me who were being bullied or ostracized. I tried to fulfill this desire to protect through my time in the Marine Corps, and although the experiences and leadership I developed during my service were meaningful and valuable, the desire to interact face-to-face with those I serve was still overwhelming. I want to serve in law enforcement because I care deeply about people fulfilling their full potential. My goal as a law enforcement officer is not to give the most speeding tickets or arrest the most criminals, but rather to encourage those who are headed down the wrong path or making harmful decisions to realize their full potential and inherent worth with the hope that they will make more positive decisions for their lives and community. I live in an area where people's poor decisions and interactions with drugs and violence have hurt the community as a whole, and I would love to do my part to help people who have gone down the path of criminal activity either out of desperation or malice to correct their errors and begin building up the community and the resources surrounding it. In this quest to better my community and help those around me, the people who inspire me the most are retired New Hampshire Fish and Game Conservation Officer, Wayne Saunders and retired California Special Operations Game Warden, John Nores. Although I have never met these men in person and have only heard them speak through their podcast "Warden's Watch", their stories from search and rescue operations as well as their work conserving wildlife and natural resources while protecting those who enjoy the outdoors inspire me, appeal to my love of the outdoors, and encourage me to promote appreciation and respect of our beautiful natural resources in those I encounter. In addition, John Nores's work standing against the cartel in California inspired me a great deal. As a Hispanic man of Puerto Rican descent, I have a special place in my heart for those people and communities who have been adversely affected by drugs and drug violence. I have seen the negative effects of drugs and violence in my community of Newark, Ohio and I want to make an impact and help those who have been negatively affected by drugs. Although I do not know where my law enforcement career will take me, whether it be working with natural resources or protecting my community, I have encountered inspiring stories of people bettering their community and I have a deep desire within me to follow the example of those excellent law enforcement professionals who went before me and provided insights on how to better their communities.