Police sergeant receives "ride of his life"

Members of the Miami-Dade County Police Department surround fellow officer Sergeant Ozwaldo “Ozzie” Hernandez, center, and F-16 pilot, Lt. Col. Matthew “Twig” Lotz, 93rd Fighter Squadron, after an orientation flight on Dec. 8. Sgt. Hernandez heads the Community Response Team for the Cutler Ridge Police District. He and his five person squad are responsible for 392 arrests last year resulting in 3.36 percent reduction of serious crime in the 842 square miles which includes Homestead ARB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tim Norton)

Police sergeant receives "ride of his life"

Miami-Dade County Police Department Sergeant Ozwaldo “Ozzie” Hernandez, right, and F-16 pilot, Lt. Col. Matthew “Twig” Lotz, 93rd Fighter Squadron, prepare for an orientation flight on Dec. 8. Sgt. Hernandez heads the Community Response Team for the Cutler Ridge Police District. He and his five person squad are responsible for 392 arrests last year resulting in 3.36 percent reduction of serious crime in the 842 square miles which includes Homestead ARB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tim Norton)

Police sergeant receives "ride of his life"

Published Dec. 9, 2008
By Tim Norton
482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- Miami-Dade County Police Department, Sergeant Ozwaldo "Ozzie" Hernandez went for the "ride of his life", after receiving an orientation flight in an F-16 fighter plane at Homestead Air Reserve Base on Dec. 8.

Over 20 fellow police officers, family, friends and senior base leadership were on-hand Monday to watch his take-off and to welcome him back from the hour long flight over the Florida Keys.

"This is certainly faster than any police car I have been in", Hernandez said.

A twenty-four year veteran of the police department, Sgt. Hernandez heads the Community Response Team for the Cutler Ridge Police District. He and his five person squad are responsible for 392 arrests last year resulting in 3.36 percent reduction of serious crime in the 842 square miles which includes Homestead ARB.

After the flight, Sgt. Hernandez was presented an F-16 "9-G" membership certificate from aircraft pilot, Lt. Col. Matthew "Twig" Lotz of the 93rd Fighter Squadron. The certificate states: "Having experienced the ultimate in aircraft acceleration and maneuverability, and having been physically tested in the 9-G environment, Sgt. Ozzie Hernandez is hereby entitled to claim membership in an exclusive and select group of pilots who have flown the world's finest fighter".

"Sgt. Hernandez is a significant leader in our community. He regularly chairs or participates in several important community meetings including the South Dade Advisory Committee and the Citizen's Advisory Committee", said Lt. Col. Tom Davis, 482nd Fighter Wing public affairs officer.

"His leadership in the community directly resulted in meaningful resolution to issues of homelessness, illegal immigration and dangerous gang activity immediately around Homestead ARB", Davis added.

"Sgt. Hernandez's approach to community policing has directly and positively impacted the security of Homestead ARB and the quality of life and safety of our Airmen", said Col. William Binger, 482nd Fighter Wing commander.