San Benito High grad achieves his dream of being a police
officer
When Octavio Barocio graduated from San Benito High School, he
had a clear idea of his future.
”
I wanted to be a marine,
”
Barocio said.
”
At the time there was no war. I wanted to go out and help our
country.
”
San Benito High grad achieves his dream of being a police officer
When Octavio Barocio graduated from San Benito High School, he had a clear idea of his future.
“I wanted to be a marine,” Barocio said. “At the time there was no war. I wanted to go out and help our country.”
Barocio left behind his high school sweetheart, Nancy, for boot camp and then was stationed in North Carolina.
His plan had always been to serve a few years in the Marines and then return home to study law enforcement to become a police officer.
That changed on Sept. 11, 2001.
“I was in the air between Chicago and Raleigh,” he said. “I didn’t know when the whole thing went down.”
In the coming days, he and his unit were sent to Afghanistan. He was a lance corporal and he served as a point man.
“I was the point man when we cleared homes and were on foot patrol,” he said. “If someone was going to take the fall, it was me. It was nerve wracking at times.”
The camaraderie he shared with the other Marines in his unit made the experience bearable, and even fun, at times.
“Not actually being there,” he said, “but being a band of brothers.”
He stayed in Afghanistan for nine months, and then returned to the United States for a few months. Then he went back to Kuwait.
“We were one of the first units to go across [into Iraq] as scouts,” he said. “They said we should be there two weeks at the most… We knew it wasn’t going to end soon.”
In August 2004, Barocio returned home. He had married Nancy and they had a baby at home.
“It was really hard,” he said. “I wanted to be a police officer, but I was married with two daughters and I couldn’t afford it.”
He bounced around jobs, eventually landing at a post office and then with an armored truck company. His mother and mother-in-law were the ones who finally encouraged him to enter the police academy at Gavilan College.
“They helped put me through the academy and helped us buy the house,” he said. “They helped us financially.”
His experience in the military prepared him for the academy, he said.
“Basically it helps with a command presence and people skills and understanding the chain of command,” he said. “Going into the marines at 17 makes you a man right away.”
Dressed in jeans and a button-down black shirt in his Hollister home, Barocio had a quiet, but confident presence. He is hesitant to talk about his achievements or the ways in which he has succeeded. He is quick to mention the people who have supported him.
After Barocio finished the academy he landed a job with the Marina Police Department. He was honored just a few weeks ago at the Monterey Hyatt as the department’s Officer of the Year, along with other officers recognized from the Monterey and San Benito regions.
“It was emotional,” he said. “I never got recognized for anything. I was really proud.”
His plaque sits on the kitchen counter.
He said he believes he was chosen from the other officers because of his work to prevent crime, as well as his ability to stop suspects whether it is through a vehicle or foot pursuit.
“Everyone that ran, I got them,” he said.
Over the weekend, he received the Mothers Against Drunk Drivers award for pulling in the most DUIs. He was honored at a statewide event held in Sacramento.
“Believe it or not, most [drunk drivers] almost run into me,” he said, “Or they run stop signs right in front of me. The main concern is to get as many people off the street to prevent serious accidents.”
Even when dealing with drunk drivers or other criminals, Barocio maintains his cool.
“I treat people with respect,” he said.
The excitement of the job is one benefit.
“I don’t always have the same day over and over,” he said. “There is always something different.”
When Barocio is on duty, he works from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. He works Sunday through Wednesday. On the days he is off, he drives his first-grade daughter to school and then takes care of his 3-year-old daughter while his wife works. They have the evenings together and Saturdays, a far cry from the many months they spent apart when he was in the military.
After a year on duty, he is still enjoying the job
“I love working there. It is a great department,” he said. “I am working hard to try to make a difference. It’s not possible with everyone, but there is always that one.”
