Justin Hernandez has been with the Union County Sheriff’s Office for roughly 19 months. After working his way up through the ranks, the former EOU football standout now is a deputy for the department, with Elgin his main area of patrol. (Cherise Kaechele, The Observer)

After using his athletic skills to dodge head-hunting linebackers and safeties, Justin Hernandez carried that ability over to the law enforcement arena.

The former Eastern Oregon University wide receiver is now a deputy at the Union County Sheriff’s Office. He’s going on 19 months with the department and said it was a smooth transition from the gridiron to protecting the streets.

“I’ve been in team sports my whole life, so I’m real big on camaraderie,” Hernandez said. “I know that’s what happens with law enforcement — being tight-knit with your sheriff, captains and other deputies. You expect and know they will be your backup at some point.”

Mountaineer football fans may remember his name. Hernandez started his career at the University of Idaho before transferring to EOU prior to the 2013 season. He was a standout pass-catcher, totaling 79 receptions, 1,215 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons, according to eousports.com.

What might not be as well-known is that during his senior year, Hernandez started as a reserve deputy while finishing college. The Lapwai, Idaho, native said his father, a retired Marine who was a lieutenant in the Nez Perce Tribal Police Department in his hometown, influenced his career choice.

“I’ve always known I wanted to work in law enforcement,” Hernandez said.

Hernandez and his wife decided they wanted to stay in the area because the geography is similar to Lapwai, and Union County is a good place to raise a family. Sheriff Boyd Rasmussen said it was a no-brainer to hire Hernandez.

“He’s just a perfect fit,” Rasmussen said. “We hire well-educated people who have a knack for serving and being part of the community. That’s why we hired him. He’s just relentless after the criminals and always there to serve the law-abiding citizens.”

Hernandez said he immediately took to Rasmussen as a leader. He saw parallels between the sheriff and his coach at EOU, Tim Camp, and said both adhere to an open-door policy. It’s part of why both the football team and UCSO have that level of camaraderie, Hernandez said.

“Boyd just expects all of us to do our job, and to me that’s easy,” Hernandez said. “Coach Camp always wanted us to be accountable young men. I still have a good relationship with Coach Camp. I still talk with him weekly. With Boyd, I can drop in and say, ‘How’s it going.’ (Everyone in the department has) relationships with one another on and off duty, so I really appreciated that.”

Following his graduation from EOU, Hernandez applied for a full-time corrections deputy position at the jail, and he was hired in September 2015. A few months later, a patrol position became available. It was a role Hernandez had always wanted, and after applying, he was promoted.

At the police academy in Salem, his sports background helped Hernandez leave a lasting impact. Hernandez said he graduated at the top of his class while setting the highest power index record, which measures different aspects like dummy drags and body fat content, of any officer ever at the academy. His 40-inch vertical jump also set a record, and he received defensive tactics and physical fitness awards.

Rasmussen said the football skills translated wonderfully in his first days on patrol.

“He immediately chased somebody down,” Rasmussen said. “He chased them down on the football field, and now he’s doing it in the street.”

Hernandez’s primary focus on patrol is the Elgin area. Besides his father’s influence, he said he’s always had a passion for helping people, which he’s able to do in law enforcement.

“Anytime I encounter somebody, whether a positive or a negative situation, I always turn it into a positive and reinforce to them that things happen for a reason (and) you can go up from here,” Hernandez said. “That’s ultimately what we do the job for. We protect and serve, and I really believe that. If I can save one person’s life, or turn them away from a bad situation in my law enforcement career, I feel like I’ve fulfilled what I’m meant to do. Hopefully it’s a lot more than one, but if it is only one, I’m fine with that.”