Prince George's police officer killed in Iraq

Cpl. Hernandez described as an upbeat family man, outstanding officer

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Click here to enlarge this photo Christopher Anderson⁄The Star Prince George's Police Officer Kenneth Sinibaldi (center) talks about his experiences serving with District 2 police officer Cpl. Robert Hernandez, who was killed Tuesday while serving in the Army Reserve in Iraq. Lt. Col. Darren Palmer, Maj. Michael Blow (center right) and Police Chief Melvin High (far right) look on. Hernandez Click here to enlarge this photo

Cpl. Robert Hernandez, 48, a staff sergeant in the Army Reserve, had previously served at the police department’s District 1 Hyattsville station. Most recently, he served for four years at the District 2 station near Bowie.

‘‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of our fellow officer, our brother,” said Police Chief Melvin High, who was notified Tuesday night. ‘‘Hernandez was a fine police officer.”

Hernandez was highly regarded among his colleagues for his work as a field training officer, a volunteer position through which he helped new officers gain street experience.

‘‘He was a great officer,” said Kevin Sparks, a District 2 officer who trained under Hernandez. ‘‘He always pushed officer safety.”

Hernandez was described as an upbeat family man, one who was proud to be in the police department and proud to serve with the military. Hernandez had been deployed in Iraq since August 2005. The police department said he was its first officer to have been killed in the war.

High said funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

‘‘Our hearts go out to the family and his friends,” High said. ‘‘He exemplified the best of us.”

Hernandez lived in Silver Spring with his fiancée and three children, who are 9, 18 and 21 years old. His parents and extended family live in Puerto Rico.

He is a 24-year military veteran and has also served with the Baltimore City Police Department and the Metropolitan Police Department in the District.

In 2000, his squad won a citation for putting together care packages for victims in Mozambique.

According to Kenneth Sinibaldi, who also trained under Hernandez in District 2, the corporal practiced martial arts and was a six-degree black belt.

Sinibaldi said he corresponded with Hernandez via e-mail while he was overseas, and that while Hernandez looked forward to serving in Iraq, he missed his family.

‘‘He had a very profound impact on these officers,” District 2 commander Maj. Michael Blow said of Hernandez’s work with the academy graduates. ‘‘We are very saddened today.”

E-mail Judson Berger at jberger@gazette.net.