Inland Empire, Calif — I can truly say at that time when we developed the concept of #IEHeros at FOX Sports AM1350, I would have never imagined how moved I personally would be.  Our goal was to forester better relationships with law enforcement and the community.  But it has been my pleasure to get to know many outstanding members of law enforcement in Riverside County and San Bernardino County. 

When I had the chance to meet San Bernardino County Sheriffs, Assistant Sheriff Horace Boatwright—only the second African American to hold this position, after his friend, Assistant Sheriff Ron Cochran—I first noticed his presence was very calming.  Now I know, as the Assistant Sheriff of the largest county in the entire nation, there are far more important items on his calendar then talking to a member of the media.

But I was very excited to meet Assistant Sheriff Boatwright, after I had a chance to read about his stellar career.  He is a proud father, a veteran of the Air Force, and is working on thirty-years of service in law enforcement.  He has worked in the Corrections Bureau, Employee Resources Division, Patrol Bureau – Rancho Cucamonga Station, Central Station, Fontana Station.  Additionally, prior to being promoted to Assistant Sheriff, Boatwright served as the Deputy Chief of the Valley/Mountain Patrol Bureau, overseeing eight patrol stations’ police services.

As I continued my research on Boatwright and his early life, it felt like I was reading the story of my own family.  My grandparents lived in Mississippi and worked their youth as sharecroppers.  Boatwright grew up as the oldest of five siblings in the small city of Bennettsville, South Carolina. 

But even with such humble beginnings, Boatwright was determined to find success in life.  First beginning with putting himself through college, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration.  “I chose to make myself marketable, I didn’t want to give any one any excuse, ‘no we cannot give him that position, or that job, or that promotion,’ because he has not done these things,” said Boatwright.  

He once spoke of a traumatic event, that actually drove him to a career in law enforcement.  As a teenager, he was walking home from a baseball game in South Carolina when an officer stopped him.  “He (the officers) says if he caught me out at night again, I would not make it home,” said Boatwright. “I instantly became fearful of law enforcement.”

When I asked, why after such a traumatic event would he want to dedicate his life to law enforcement, without hesitation, Boatwright credits family, saying, “a lot of it was my upbringing, with my mom and my grandfather.  By them guiding me, and saying, don’t let one individuals’ action change the way you think.  If you want change, you have to affect change yourself.”

In addition to law enforcement, Boatwright is passionate about physical fitness.  He serves as the Treasurer of the Sheriffs Athletic Federation.  “We (SAF) do events that get the community involved.  It’s a holistic way to bring the community and law enforcement together by way of physical fitness.” 

After a successful 30-year career, I had to ask Boatwright if he was ready to retire.  He gave me an answer that I know his mother and grandfather would be proud of, “I could retire this year, but I decided to go an additional couple more, because there is more change, I want to effect.”

San Bernardino County Sheriffs Assistant Sheriff Horace Boatwright is the epitome of what we need more of in law enforcement.  I was honor to have the privilege of speaking with him, and I am so fortunate to be able to announce him as the #IEHeros.