Name and rank?
Fernando Chavez Jr., University Law Enforcement Officer
How long have you been with OSUPD?
I joined the Ohio State University Police Department in February 2025. Before joining OSUPD, I earned my degree in Biology from The Ohio State University and worked as an armed private security contractor with Direct Approach Tactical Solutions from 2022 to 2025 while completing my education.
Where are you from and how does that help shape who you are today?
I’m from Defiance, Ohio, a small community in Northwest Ohio. Growing up in a close-knit community where people knew and looked out for one another taught me the importance of building relationships, treating everyone with respect, and taking the time to understand different perspectives. Those experiences continue to shape the way I approach law enforcement today. I believe that getting to know the people you serve and treating everyone with dignity can make a lasting difference.
What inspired you to become an OSUPD officer?
Law enforcement has always been a significant part of my life. My father is a Sergeant with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and my brother is also a State Trooper, so I grew up seeing firsthand the commitment and responsibility that comes with serving others. My father has always been my role model. He always emphasized the importance of working hard, being kind, and taking the time to get to know people. Those are lessons I carry with me every day. I believe life is about continually learning, and I try to bring that mindset to both my personal and professional life.
I moved to Columbus for college and quickly fell in love with Ohio State and the community that surrounds it. After spending several years as a student here, becoming an officer at Ohio State felt like an opportunity to give back to a community that had already given me so much.
What’s unique about policing at Ohio State?
What makes policing at Ohio State unique is that no two days are the same. One day you may be working a football game, the next a concert or another major campus event, and throughout it all you have the opportunity to interact with students, faculty, staff, and visitors from all different backgrounds. One of the things I value most is being able to help students because I was once in their shoes. I remember what it was like to come to Columbus from a smaller community and try to find your place, navigate college, and figure things out. Being able to provide guidance, assistance, or simply be someone a student can turn to means a lot to me.
Why do you serve?
As a kid, I always wanted to help people. For a long time, I thought I would do that through medicine, which led me to pursue a degree in Biology with the goal of attending medical school. Although I enjoyed the academic side of medicine and was successful in my studies, I eventually realized that it wasn’t where my passion was. I still knew that I wanted a career centered around helping others. While finishing my degree, I realized that law enforcement provided another way to make a meaningful difference. I was drawn to the opportunity to serve my community, help keep people safe, build relationships, and be there for people during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
For me, serving isn’t just about enforcing the law. It’s about being someone people can trust, continuing to learn, and leaving the people and community I serve better than I found them.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my fiancée, traveling and experiencing places I’ve never been, working out, playing video games, watching movies, and keeping up with anime.
I also enjoy staying active and challenging myself physically. I’ve always enjoyed learning new skills and trying new experiences, whether that’s through fitness, travel, or simply picking up a new hobby.
What’s your favorite thing about being a Buckeye?
My favorite thing about being a Buckeye is the strength of the community and the sense of connection that comes with it. You can travel almost anywhere in the country and see someone wearing an Ohio State shirt. There’s an instant connection, and it often gives you an opportunity to start a conversation with a complete stranger. Having been a student here and now having the opportunity to serve the same community as an officer makes being a Buckeye especially meaningful to me. Ohio State has been an important part of my life, and I’m proud to now serve the university and the people who make this community what it is.