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Cadet turned Deputy Eddie Cantu, knew for a long time, what he wanted to do, work in law enforcement. “The comradery, brotherhood among all of us...getting out of the military that's what I was looking for and I felt law enforcement was going to provide that,” said Cantu.
He had been working at the Williamson County jail for some time, but started training to be a deputy this past March. “I just want to represent my family as well as be a good role model for my kids,” said Cantu.
He was among the seven who graduated on Friday, from Williamson County's first in house, basic police officer training course. “Before I came into office we had a training rating that was one step lower, and we contracted out this academy. Now we are tasked with and charged with the academy part of it,” said Sheriff Robert Chody.
For six months, cadets underwent academic and physical training.
With a growing region, these deputies are needed. “In October we will have eight positions opening up, there are seven right there so it's going to help us out a great deal,” said Chody.
For Deputy Cantu, the job is a big deal for him not only because of the chance to serve the public, but to show his children what noble service looks like.
“I don't think of myself as a hero, but I would love to think of myself as their hero,” said Cantu.
At this point they will go on to field training. In addition to the seven new cadets, a Georgetown P.D. cadet graduated in this academy. He will go on to train and work in Georgetown.