When Homero Peres Sanchez was younger, he liked watching cop shows on TV. When he’d see a police car stopped somewhere, perhaps outside the scene of a crime, his curiosity was piqued.

“I’d always want to know what was going on,” Homero said, “And police officers definitely know.”

While he was attending Streamwood High School, Sanchez volunteered at police events and did a couple of ride-alongs with officers.

In that environment, it’s not surprising that Sanchez gravitated toward a career in law enforcement. The 2015 U-46 graduate is pursuing an associate’s degree in criminal justice at Elgin Community College (ECC).

After he graduates from ECC, Homero plans on attending Western Illinois University to earn his bachelor’s degree, with an eye toward attending the police academy and landing a job as a patrol officer or possibly a telecommunications officer. The 2015 Superintendent’s Scholarship winner will put his grant money toward his educational expenses at Western.

Homero’s short-term goal after college is to begin his law enforcement career close to home in the Chicago area. In the long term, Homero is keeping his options open to whatever presents itself, whether it be earning a promotion to a supervisory officer or perhaps working his way up to becoming a police detective.

He is the son of Homero and Maria Sanchez of Streamwood.