It was a reality check -- that’s how police academy recruits are describing the death of San Jose police officer Michael Johnson in March, while he was responding to call for service.
On Friday, the new academy class officially got their badges, knowing they will soon be hitting the streets as well.
The cadets families admit they are concerned, but they say they have to be supportive.
They marched into the ballroom, proud to call themselves the newest members of the San Jose police family. And while they swear to protect and defend, Johnson remains in their memories.
Johnson was gunned down in an ambush attack on March 24.
Assistant Police Chief Eddie Garcia spoke to all the recruits just after officer Johnson was killed. It was time for their gut check, Garcia said.
"Every member of the department knows there’s a chance we may have to lay down our lives in defense of another," Garcia said. "And if they weren’t prepared to do it, then this probably was not the job for them. And that’s what my message was about.”
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The cadets took in the advice, and spoke with their families.
"You let them know that this is a possibility," former cadet Steven Aponte said. "This is the risk and only with their support that we’re actually here.”
Nobody backed out. Class 22 is ready to serve and protect San Jose -- all 19 of them.
The police chief said his department needed a day like this -- of celebration. And a pinning of men and women who said they are ready to answer the call.
