Anyone who knows me knows I hate goodbyes. I’d much rather slink away unnoticed than face an awkward farewell.

Call it the coward in me. That being said, this community, a community I’ve been part of for 16, has given me too much for me to perform my customary exit stage left.

You see, when I first stepped foot on this campus as a freshman, I had little idea who I was or what I had to offer. I had no notion that I’d be a philosophy major or that I would circumnavigate the world my sophomore year.

Publishing poetry came as a genuine shock and thrill for me, as did being able to teach a few courses on law enforcement for my fellow officers. Furthermore, I never thought I’d end up working here at St. Edward’s University, let alone be a supervisor with the police department.

During my 11 years working for the St. Edward’s University Police Department, I’ve had the opportunity to see the greatness of this institution in action.

For me, SEU is a bridge.

For some, it’s a bridge to a better life, for others a bridge to redemption and for most, whether we realize it in the moment or not, a bridge to self-discovery.

Part of my job at the SEUPD was making sure that when people fell off or sometimes flung themselves from the bridge, I was quite simply there to catch them.

It didn’t always pan out, but when it did, It felt like I was doing God’s work.

That being said, almost every success I’ve had in my adult(ish) life has had its roots in what I learned here at SEU.

I’m convinced there’s not a better collection of caring and talented higher education professionals on any campus across the world.

To my SEU mentors and friends, I haven’t the words to express my gratitude but know that I’ll do my best to honor you in my deeds.

To my brothers and sisters in blue at the SEUPD, I leave for another police department taking with me the truth of this profession, that is to say, what it means to be a peace officer.

We serve by bringing peace to chaos. We still violent winds when we can and when we cannot, we shield others from the storm. Leaving my SEU family is the hardest and scariest part, for I know what a blessing it’s been to work alongside true friends and peacekeepers.

I will forever treasure my memories made here on the Hilltop. Thank you St. Edward’s for introducing me to myself and revealing to each of us what we are capable of. God bless and stay safe.

– Bobby

UPD Sgt. Bobby Garcia