A little bit about Sergeant Rafael Chavez, who is one of three sergeants at UCMPD. Sgt. Chavez has been with UCPD for the past three and a half years. Sgt. Chavez has had to adjust to policing at an educational institution where the line between police and community is blurred and oftentimes confusing.
In 2017, Sgt. Chavez was hired at UCM as a police officer who had lots to offer as a former investigator and SWAT operator, but we will get into that later. The reason Sgt. Chavez was hired was because of who he is, what he represents, and how he was raised that turned him into the man, son, husband, and father he is today.
Sgt. Chavez was born and raised in Merced County to parents who are proud to call themselves Americans. His father immigrated to the United States from Mexico and after several tries landed in Merced, CA. Sgt. Chavez’ father earned his citizenship in the US and met his wife in Merced. Fast forward 10 years, Sgt. Chavez was born the second oldest in the family but the oldest boy, which eventually came with a lot of responsibility and expectations.
Sgt. Chavez started mowing lawns at 6 years old to help his dad work. Although it was fun because of the time he spent with his dad and the soda pop and peanuts he was rewarded with at the day, looking back he realized he was putting food on the family table. That is where it all started for him, the discipline, work ethic, respect, maturity, and understanding life has consequences, which is what molded him into the man he is today. Not to mention his mother who never let him quit or do anything half-fast. His mother would always tell him, “El huevon trabaja doble” so he would do it right the first time otherwise he would have to go back and do it again. She taught him to cook, clean, and iron clothes so he would never have to depend on a woman to take care of him.
It took Sgt. Chavez 7 years to acquire his Associates degree because his Dad made him start work as a landscaper the very next day after graduating high school. Because he did not want to landscape the rest of his life, he spun the wheel of fortune and landed on becoming a police officer.
With the help of his father, he sponsored himself through the police academy all while knowing there was no certainty he would get a job or pass a background investigation. After graduating the academy, Sgt. Chavez worked for free as a police officer for the City of Mendota where he commuted over an hour and a half just to gain experience hoping he could land a full-time job somewhere. Sgt. Chavez was fortunate to get hired by the Merced County Sheriff’s office in 2010.
As a Deputy, Sgt. Chavez held the positions of a patrol deputy, an investigator of violent crimes to property crimes, SWAT operator, and an Honor Guard member.
Sgt. Chavez stated, “My faith in God and family come first and the rest just falls into place. Without Him I wouldn’t be able to be a good son, husband, and father nor would I be able to serve or protect this community I call UC Merced.
“I can do all things through him who gives me strength.”
-Philippians 4:13
