Parker County Today PCT FEB 2019 | Page 83

While in the academy, I was hired as an officer for the Midland Police Department. While I was working in Midland, I came to Weatherford to visit a friend of mine, and during that visit realized that the Weatherford Police Department was hiring. This place was an oasis compared to the Midland area, so I put my application in and was hired. PCT: What do you do to decompress? JG: There are many things I do to combat the stress. The best and most important activity I do is play, talk, and spend time with my two wonder- ful kids, as well as my great wife. I also workout with my unit during the weekdays and workout with my oldest son during the weekend. I love spending time with my parents and my brothers that live in the area now. I also love to spend time on my in-law’s ranch and working with them there. PCT: What is something people don’t know about you? JG: There is really not much that people do not know about me, except for that I am deathly afraid of spiders. PCT: What would you most like to be remembered for? JG: If there was anything I could be remembered for it would have to be in being a great father. Having a great father (and mother), I know how important it is for a kid to have a father involved in his life. There is no way I could have accomplished what I have without having that great influ- ence of my own father had in my life. PCT: What’s your favorite way to pay it forward? JG: Talking with a group of kids about being a police officer, coach- ing kids in football, basketball and baseball, reading to kids or have them read to me, and teaching chil- dren how to work together to accom- plish a task. PCT: If you could choose to have lunch with anyone, living or dead from history, who would it be? Why? JG: I would have lunch with Benjamin Franklin. Benjamin was not only one of our founding fathers, but he was also an author, politician, freemason, scientist, diplomat and an inventor. Plus, he knew several other people that I would have like to eat lunch with too. PCT: If you had to pursue another career, other than the one you have now, what would you do?  JG: I would want to be a high school coach. Other than my parents, the coaches I had were very important in how I turned out to be a productive member of society. Plus, I love all sports and I love to teach. PCT: What’s the best piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in your field?  JG: Have a life outside your chosen career, and find a way to decom- press. Law enforcement is a very stressful career, and you need a way to escape the demands that this job has. Don’t be afraid to talk, to communicate honestly with your Valentine’s Day special 3-course Dinner thursDay, February 14 appetizer 2 entrées Dessert $ 49.95 per couple aDD Korbel For two $ 10 ® Colleyville S. Arlington WeAtherFord BAllpArk 6125 SW Loop 820 5150 Hwy. 121 6407 S. Cooper 1302 S. Main 2150 E. Lamar Blvd. 817.423.3124 817.354.3124 817.465.3122 817.598.5944 www.riomambo.com 817.795.4555 BurleSon 295 E. Renfro 817.295.5453 Fort Worth 81