Hero soldier dreaming to be a cop says his NYPD application remains in limbo

By REUVEN FENTON

Last Updated: 12:48 PM, October 5, 2010

Posted: 11:58 AM, October 5, 2010

Comments: 16

The Queens man who went from ex-con to hero soldier -- after Gov. David Paterson granted him a surprise Christmas pardon -- is back from Afghanistan, but no closer to fulfilling his dream of being an NYPD cop.

Army Specialist Osvaldo Hernandez, 28, who had served eight months in prison on a gun-possession rap before becoming a paratrooper in Afghanistan, had been issued a "full and unconditional" pardon on Christmas Eve by Paterson.

However, Hernandez just returned from his second tour in Afghanistan, where he supervised a team of machine gunners and was recently promoted to sergeant, but he is no closer to being a cop.

ELLIS KAPLAN

Sgt Osvaldo hernandez returns home from Afganistan.

"It's been over five years now serving in the United States Army," he told The Post today in an interview. "I've put my life on the line for this country, but that's something I feel really good about and I'm ready to do it for the NYPD."

Hernandez's lawyer said his NYPD application remains in limbo.

Hernandez said he was shot at in combat about two weeks ago when two rounds hit the hand grip of his rifle. A bullet lodged in the magazine and shrapnel lodged in his shoulder strap, he said.

"If you want to talk about close calls, that's as close as it gets," said Hernandez.

He said he hopes the NYPD will consider his application and allow him to be a cop.

"I'm just trying to be a better person," he said. "I'm just trying to demonstrate that people make mistakes and turn their lives around and become ... completely different individuals."

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dth2libbies returns

10/05/2010 1:16 PM

Why not give him a chance? We have a President that admitted to doing Coke and of course his friend Ayers the terrorist. Obama would never do what this guy has done! This guy loves his country while Obama doesn't.
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Christopher Gordon

10/05/2010 1:14 PM

Damn right Sarg you fought for the rights of others to break the law in the name of Democracy. You have proven that people can turn their lives around from mistakes they have made in the past when they were younger and had no direction. Good Luck Hoorah
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SmarterThanU

10/05/2010 1:07 PM

You know, I support the troops but Im sooo tired of hearing of this guy. Is this guy gonna earn anything on his on? All he does well is asking the post for help. Is this how he is going to find a wife too? And Im tired of everyone who served in the military saying "I served my country". I'll give it to some who do join the military for the honor, but alot join because they have no prospects or direction. I know personally, so please stop. Everyone becomes patroitic when they need something.
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wat up wit that

10/05/2010 12:56 PM

This guy scored a 98.325 on the police exam - yeah, 100 is a perfect score.

This guy is so over-qualified it's not even funny. God bless him for even wanting to do this job.
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eyeluvit

10/05/2010 12:35 PM

Give the guy a second chance. I'm sure he changed his life around and might make for a great cop. It's the least we can do for him after serving our country.
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killuh

10/05/2010 12:30 PM

thank you for your service airborne. nice to see you made it home.