Heros/Villains

You think you know everything about the people you share your life with. You can easily figure out one’s favorite color, food, television show but how do you figure out what lies beneath that. To really understand a person, you need to examine their values, beliefs, and character. I decided to try to take this opportunity to learn more about my older brother. I know what he does for a living, his favorite snack, and hobbies but what did I not know about him. Well I was about to find out. Are our lives all just black and white and visualized as a picture we portray to others. When we sit down and look deeper into someone, we have the capability to really know them as unique individuals.

We sat on the couch in the living room to start having a deep conversation about his life. I wanted to learn something about my brother that most individuals are not aware of. Before the conversation started out, we discussed our day. David is my older brother who is twenty-three years old, has brown hair and blue eyes. He is currently employed by the Village of Schaumburg as a police officer. Before his current job he worked for the Metra Police and a doctor’s office.

David talked more in depth about his path and career as a police officer. David had to endure sixteen long weeks at a Police Academy. The Police Academy tested one’s physical and mental strength and according to David. Since the drive to Triton College from Orland Park was a long commute he needed to leave the house to travel to the academy before 5:00 A.M. and did not come home until after 6:00 P.M. and then get up and do it all again. During his time at the academy, the focus was on physical training, defense tactics and classroom discussions. David said the most relaxing time was spent on Friday mornings swimming. The most memorable event was graduation day when he received his official police officer’s pin and diploma. David has already experienced some tense moments on the job. He has had to deal with shots fired and individuals with guns. During moments like this you pray that the situation can be “resolved smoothly and quickly.” David’s response to the question of what his biggest fear of the job was knowing that one day you might not come home to your family. Unfortunately, we live in a society where police officers receive so much negative coverage in the media which has brought about hatred and distrust. The last comment David mentioned about the job was that being a police officer today is not an easy job with all the tension that surroundings this occupation.

We then discussed the challenges in his life. David mentioned his number one challenge growing up was his many learning disabilities. He faced doubt from teachers at school that did not think he would succeed. David’s mother became his number one cheerleader. David said, “she forced me to climb the mountain and helped me overcome my challenges.” Even though David had struggles he focused on the quote, “do well with everything I do.” He pushed himself through whatever obstacles came his way.

David has some very deep insights. One of his very strong beliefs that he stated in his interview is “everything is on purpose.” David is an individual that believes you can not change the past. He feels you need to learn from your mistakes and faults. He feels he has no regrets in his life. He stated, “everyone myself included has made poor decisions that they wish they had never done.” David explained these poor judgments is a chance to better ourselves and should make us stronger, a better individual and more resilient. At the end he mentioned we can not “bask in the past otherwise we miss the present and wash away your future.”

David’s mother chimed in about David and his occupation. She responded how proud she is of him and realizes how much physical and mental work he needed to accomplish to succeed. She made sure to constantly give him encouragement and told him never to give up on his dreams. She stated that she knew that being a police officer was his one major goal in life and supported him all the way. David’s mother said she was a little threw back when he suggested that he wanted to become a police officer, she always thought he would become a history teacher. As a parent David’s mom felt that it was her job to make sure all of her child followed their heart and goals. Even though David was not the strongest out of the men in the police academy, she made sure to give him encouragement and support. Furthermore, when David’s mom learned of her son’s regret of being unable to spend time with his family while in the police academy she became choked up because she feels that David should not feel guilty about anything. She knew he had to put in the time and effort to achieve his goals and has taught her children it is not the quantity of time you spend with your family; it is the quality. David’s mom could not be prouder of her son for all he has accomplished in life so far.

David Cantillon is more than just a police officer he is a young man full of knowledge, insight and a bright future. As David stated in the interview, “ can’t change the past, you can grow from it.” “Learn from your mistakes and mistakes made in the past make me who I am today.” “I like who I am today.”

Cantillon, David. Personal Interview I5, Sept 2019