New San Bernardino Community College District police officer shows son how to be a hero
SBCCD hired San Bernardino Valley College alumnus Israel Mendez on September 13, 2018
By Kris Lovekin
When 30-year-old Israel Mendez was hired as a police office for the San Bernardino Community College District, his best friend, his son and his sidekick came to congratulate him.
Those are all the same person.
“When he was about a year old, his mother and I separated,” Mendez said of his 9-year-old son. “Since that time I have had most of the care for my son.”
Mendez has always tackled life head on. He was an amateur wrestler with Olympic hopes; he helped support his immigrant family when his mother died of cancer a few years ago; and he is the first in his family to attend college.
When he entered the police academy at San Bernardino Valley College, his classmates chose the buoyant and talkative Mendez as their leader. He carried the flag literally, and metaphorically, for the entire year he was studying at the academy. He graduated near the top of his class.
But why police work?
“When I was a little kid, I would look up to Batman,” Mendez said. “That sounds childish, but I would see police officers and I would say ‘those people helped Batman. I want to be a good guy.”
He remembers arguing with his friends over who got to be Batman, and who had to play the sidekick, Robin.
“All my life I wanted to be a superhero,” Mendez said. “This is where I fit the most. I wake up in the morning, I put on my uniform, I communicate with everyone. I value them as unique. I hold a positive outlook on the situation, even if the person has done something wrong.”
Since even before his official appointment on Sept. 13 at the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees meeting, Mendez has been training with the police officers who patrol San Bernardino Valley College and KVCR, Crafton Hills College and the district office. He gave credit to his training officer John Carlos, his supervisor Sgt. Blake Bonnet, and to the San Bernardino Community College District Police Chief Al Jackson.
“Al Jackson gave me an opportunity to live out my dreams,” Mendez said. “He had so many other applicants. He could have chosen anyone else for this for this position. He chose someone from San Bernardino.”
Mendez said his police colleagues have treated him like family. And he knows his job is important.
“When you see what is going on, with active shooters, campus safety is a big deal,” he said.
Because of his success in school, and because of this new job, he is now able to buy a home near good schools for the son who shares his name. “I call him dad sometimes,” he confides, because the name Israel Mendez belongs to his father, himself and his son.
Confusing? Maybe a little. “I hope my son has a girl,” Mendez quipped. “She won’t have to be named Israel Mendez.”
To be a role model for his boy is his highest wish. He said he can already tell it’s working. “He’s a smart kid,” Mendez said. “He picks up a book and he just starts reading it. I know that’s a good sign.”
And not only is he smart, he’s generous. He is happy to be his dad’s sidekick. He is happy to play Robin.
“When we play, he lets me be Batman, who does that?” Mendez said with awe.
“When I go to work he asks, “You are out there helping Batman?” I tell him, “You know I am.”
About San Bernardino Community College District
San Bernardino Community College District serves 24,000 students through Crafton Hills College and San Bernardino Valley College. For nearly 100 years, our colleges have provided access to affordable, award-winning education and career training programs for the residents of Calimesa, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Highland, Loma Linda, Redlands, Rialto, San Bernardino, Yucaipa and Big Bear Lake. We educate the health care professionals that serve our medical needs, veterans who have served our country, police and firefighters who keep us safe, and skilled workers who fuel our economy. Learn more at www.sbccd.edu
Board of Trustees
Joseph Williams, President
Gloria Macias Harrison, Vice President
Dr. Anne L. Viricel, Clerk
Donna Ferracone, Member
John Longville, Member
Frank Reyes, Member
Dr. Donald L. Singer, Member
Autumn Blackburn, Student Trustee (SBVC)
Elijah Gerard, Student Trustee (CHC)
Chancellor
Bruce R. Baron
Presidents
Diana Z. Rodriguez, San Bernardino Valley College
Dr. Audre Levy, Crafton Hills College, Interim
