Police officer captures kids hearts with music, mentoring and dedication - San Jose, California

“Horace Mann Elementary fifth-grader Angel Martinez doesnt know San Jose police officer Darrell Cortez. “But hes nice, the 10-year-old says assertively.

Classmate Jeremiah Ybarra, 10, does know him: “Ive seen him come into school with big Target bags full of stuff.

Students at the downtown school are the latest recipients of the largess of Cortez, who has found community-service projects on every beat he has patrolled for the past 28 years as a San Jose officer. Many are done through the National Latino Peace Officers Association, of which Cortez is state executive vice president.”

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