Police Officer Austin Howard has a profound bond with Yuma Proving Ground (YPG), tracing back to cherished childhood memories that now shape his daily patrols with a blend of duty and pride. His career path has taken an unexpected but heartwarming turn, leading him back to the place where he grew up.
That connection runs deep for Howard, as both of his parents had lengthy careers at YPG, contributing to the base's operations.
His father's three-decade tenure in combined maintenance on the Kofa side, stands as a testament to his family's ties to the base.
Additionally, his mother initially started as a data collector before transitioning to a driver assigned to the Stryker program. After 18 years of dedicated service, she medically retired.
"I spent my pre-kindergarten and kindergarten years up to halfway through fifth grade at Price Elementary School here on base," Howard recalled. "Every day, as far back as I can remember, I was either at the Child Development Center, or Child Youth Services."
Howard's journey into law enforcement wasn't a conventional one and almost didn't happen.
Despite initial reservations about returning to his childhood stomping grounds, he was hired as a base security guard in 2019, eventually embracing his role with enthusiasm and dedication.
"When I was initially offered the security job guard, I said 'no' because of the strangeness of the situation," Howard admitted. "At first it was odd, but I got used to the idea and saw it as an opportunity to give back to the community I once belonged to."
Three years later, he transitioned to the police force, citing a desire for personal and professional development rather than merely financial gain.
"I wanted to move up and have more opportunities. Obviously, pay comes with that, but it was not my motivation," Howard stated. "I have a small, growing family and wanted to challenge myself. I figured going to the police side would be a good start to doing that."
Adding to the surreal nature of his return, Howard and his family are also living in the home of a childhood friend from base, as evidenced by the outlines of the name plate that used to be above the driveway, a reminder of the families who had lived there before.
"It is still burnt there. I can see it. I know this was the house," Howard said. "I remembered the layout long before we ever moved in."
He also noted a dent on one of the bedroom doors - the result of a childhood mishap.
"There are these vents on the bedroom doors, and there is a dent in one of them that I put there," Howard stated. "I fell into it at one point, and it has never been replaced."
Howard's approach to law enforcement is deeply rooted in community outreach and proactive measures. Rather than focusing solely on enforcement, he prioritizes understanding and prevention.
"Instead of finding and arresting the person who cut a garden hose, it's more about what I can do to prevent it from happening again," Howard explained. "It's not about catching and punishing; it's about making a positive impact and improving the quality of life."
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