Created by Chris Paterson
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Officers from the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team shared personal stories of sacrifice, service, and resilience during a recent feature for “Best in the Vest,” a program highlighting the work of law enforcement across the country.
The officers, many with military or family ties to policing, discussed the challenges and rewards of their work, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the community and the brotherhood that sustains them through the job’s most challenging moments.
“I chose the SWAT team because it’s the best unit on the department,” said Officer Drew Rees. “It should exemplify the best we have to offer because when it’s the absolute worst situation, the SWAT team is who you’re going to call.”
Inspired by his family’s legacy, Rees shared, “My grandpa was a police officer for many years in Wisconsin. My older brother was on the force before me. Seeing him chasing his dreams, I wanted the same for me.”
Officer Jose Sigon echoed a similar lifelong calling. “I joined the police department to be able to make a difference,” he said. “Since seventh or eighth grade... getting into airsoft somehow just translated into wanting to become a police officer.”
Sigon spoke honestly about the challenges of joining an elite team: “There’s a bunch of senior guys on the team. You want to get good, you want to be better, but it’s all a process. The challenging aspect is to just slow down, take it day by day, and become a better operator.”
Some burdens, though, linger long after the job ends. Officer S. Hernandez reflected on the emotional weight of the work.
“The bad stuff is a lot of the hostage rescue stuff we deal with—kids getting kids out of houses that are beat up, kids that are neglected by their family. That’s the stuff I really hate talking about, hate remembering,” Hernandez admitted.
For Hernandez, healing comes through brotherhood: “I actually hang out with the guys and talk about it... to me, that’s the best way of coping.”
For Officer Jonathan Reyes, policing was a dream since childhood. “My grandpa was a police officer... ever since I was three years old, I would wear his uniform, I would wear his jacket. I knew from an early age—three or four—that I wanted to be a police officer.”
Reyes spoke passionately about the real lives of those behind the uniform. “I want the community to know that members of the SWAT team are just like you guys... we like to eat barbecue, we like to drink beer. We’re just normal people.”
Officer Nathan Bundy’s journey began in a different uniform, serving in the U.S. military. “I did about nine years in the military and got out looking for a place where I could use the skills and talents that I acquired... but still serve my community.”
Bundy emphasized that their specialized equipment isn’t meant to intimidate. “The reason we have the extra gear, armor, weapons, extra training is so that we can get a better resolution for the community. It’s about a safe outcome for everyone, including the suspect.”
Their stories, shared with honesty and heart, reveal what lies beyond the badge—a spirit of service, brotherhood, and sacrifice. Thanks to InVestUSA’s tireless work to provide active shooter vests for officers nationwide, heroes like these are better protected as they stand on the front lines.
Watch the full video here.
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Michael Letts is the author of Truth, Lies and Control: Finding Hope in an Upside-Down World. Order your copy on Amazon today!
To learn more about Michael Letts, go to michaelletts.us, and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts by clicking HERE.
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Officers from the San Antonio Police Department’s SWAT team shared personal stories of sacrifice, service, and resilience during a recent feature for “Best in the Vest,” a program highlighting the work of law enforcement across the country.
The officers, many with military or family ties to policing, discussed the challenges and rewards of their work, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the community and the brotherhood that sustains them through the job’s most challenging moments.
“I chose the SWAT team because it’s the best unit on the department,” said Officer Drew Rees. “It should exemplify the best we have to offer because when it’s the absolute worst situation, the SWAT team is who you’re going to call.”
Inspired by his family’s legacy, Rees shared, “My grandpa was a police officer for many years in Wisconsin. My older brother was on the force before me. Seeing him chasing his dreams, I wanted the same for me.”
Officer Jose Sigon echoed a similar lifelong calling. “I joined the police department to be able to make a difference,” he said. “Since seventh or eighth grade... getting into airsoft somehow just translated into wanting to become a police officer.”
Sigon spoke honestly about the challenges of joining an elite team: “There’s a bunch of senior guys on the team. You want to get good, you want to be better, but it’s all a process. The challenging aspect is to just slow down, take it day by day, and become a better operator.”
Some burdens, though, linger long after the job ends. Officer S. Hernandez reflected on the emotional weight of the work.
“The bad stuff is a lot of the hostage rescue stuff we deal with—kids getting kids out of houses that are beat up, kids that are neglected by their family. That’s the stuff I really hate talking about, hate remembering,” Hernandez admitted.
For Hernandez, healing comes through brotherhood: “I actually hang out with the guys and talk about it... to me, that’s the best way of coping.”
For Officer Jonathan Reyes, policing was a dream since childhood. “My grandpa was a police officer... ever since I was three years old, I would wear his uniform, I would wear his jacket. I knew from an early age—three or four—that I wanted to be a police officer.”
Reyes spoke passionately about the real lives of those behind the uniform. “I want the community to know that members of the SWAT team are just like you guys... we like to eat barbecue, we like to drink beer. We’re just normal people.”
Officer Nathan Bundy’s journey began in a different uniform, serving in the U.S. military. “I did about nine years in the military and got out looking for a place where I could use the skills and talents that I acquired... but still serve my community.”
Bundy emphasized that their specialized equipment isn’t meant to intimidate. “The reason we have the extra gear, armor, weapons, extra training is so that we can get a better resolution for the community. It’s about a safe outcome for everyone, including the suspect.”
Their stories, shared with honesty and heart, reveal what lies beyond the badge—a spirit of service, brotherhood, and sacrifice. Thanks to InVestUSA’s tireless work to provide active shooter vests for officers nationwide, heroes like these are better protected as they stand on the front lines.
Watch the full video here.
--
Michael Letts is the author of Truth, Lies and Control: Finding Hope in an Upside-Down World. Order your copy on Amazon today!
To learn more about Michael Letts, go to michaelletts.us, and to learn more about his nonprofit organization InVestUSA, which provides free vests to first responders, visit investusa.org.
Read the full history of InVestUSA with Michael Letts by clicking HERE.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
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