PHOENIX — Phoenix Police Officer Ulises Oseguera is one of more than 60 school resource officers across the city. But to the students and staff at Paradise Valley High School, "OC" is one of a kind.
"I care for these kids like they're mine," OC said. "Whenever people ask me how many kids I have, I say 'close to 2,000.'"
As he walks through the hallways, OC waves to students and asks how their days are.
"What are you guys doing?" OC asks a group of boys on their way to lunch. They all smirk and shrug their shoulders. OC laughs knowingly as they all say "Nothing."
"Come see me later," he tells them with a broad smile on his face.
It's been four years since OC took his assignment at Paradise Valley High School. The freshmen he met when he started will graduate in just a few months — something he said feels impossible.
From attending games and working out with students to even participating in a homecoming skit, OC is a part of students' lives every day.
"I think it's very important that kids know that... we're human, we're here. We want to help," OC said. "Not only are we here to protect them, make sure everything's ok with them, but we're here to talk."
Despite his success connecting with students, OC said he didn't plan to become a school resource officer. But after a fellow officer was shot in the line of duty, he knew he had to take a step back for his well-being.
"I was a run-and-gun cop. I like to get into things, put bad guys away. So, when they told me an SRO job was available, I didn't know even what it was, you know, I didn't know what I was walking into," OC said. "But when I came here, I started getting closer to kids, and as I got closer, I felt like, you know what, like I can still help, like I can still help these kids not get in trouble on the outside, and try to guide them the right way."
Four years later, OC is still ensuring the safety and well-being of students. Especially those in need.
OC said he got a call from one of the school's guidance counselors saying a student was having trouble at home. When he talked to the student, he found out her problems were much bigger: she was couch surfing after recently becoming homeless, OC said.
"When I later found out that her problems were pretty much her being homeless and going from couch to couch and her not having clothes, even basic hygiene to live life, that's when it kinda got me and I felt like I needed to step in," OC said.
That's when OC decided to call Angels on Patrol, an organization that works with police officers who want to help community members in need, as well as supporting officers themselves.
The nonprofit's Executive Director Melinda Kadina said when she got the call from OC, she was amazed by how attentive he was.
"For him to notice something and say, I want to make her situation better, it was just amazing to me," Kadina said. "I just love that he wanted to embrace her and show her that she's valued, and there's a community that wants to help you, support you and make your situation better, and let's figure out what we can do."
Angels on Patrol provided funding for OC and the student to go shopping for clothes, basic necessities and whatever else she needed.
"First thing I said was get what you need. She's like, 'I don't know what you're talking about' and I was like, 'Pick what you want to wear.' She said 'I've never picked anything,'" OC explained. "As we started going along, I started getting a little tearful."
Angels on Patrol also provided the student with Fry's gift cards, too. OC said seeing the student get everything she needed was amazing and he is very thankful to work with Angels on Patrol.
"My heart's huge. I wanted to help her as much as I want to help every other kid here," OC said. "So I just love that she was able to see and feel that."
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