To Serve and Protect: An Interview with Nora Tellez

In the early morning hours of September 3, 2006 seven Chicago Police Officers were the first to respond to a fire that broke out in a seven story apartment building. Since another devastating fire claimed the lives of six children in the same neighborhood just hours earlier, the officers on the scene understood the importance of acting quickly. Without any fire resistant gear, oxygen, or concern for their own safety the officers repeatedly entered the building till all the residents were brought out safely.

Among those officers was Nora Tellez who has been with the Chicago Police Department for a year and also serves in the military. Officer Nora Tellez, along with the other six officers who responded to the fire that morning, was awarded a Lifesaving Award by the Chicago Police Department and recognized by the City of Chicago for her heroic efforts.

Below, is some of my interview with Nora on her actions that day, the award she received and on being a police officer.

Q: Officer Tellez what is your rank?
R: I have completed my first year as Probationary Police Officer. I have six more months of probation before becoming a full blown police officer, which
provides me with more benefits and job protection.

Q: What made you decide to become a police officer?
R: Always wanting to become a police officer had a lot to do with my background. I grew up in a poor household, bounced around from home to home, and
had limited access to role models. I wanted to make sure I was one that did not become part of the statistics, fight to be anything I dreamed of, never forget
my background and be living proof that where there's a will there's a way. I become an officer to be able to help people, motivate others to achieve their
dreams.

Not everything has been easy and being adopted by an American family gave me the second chance in life that many don't get. I came to the USA when I
was eleven years old and it has become important to me to give back to this country in every possible way. I joined the military to prepare myself for the
challenge of being a police officer. I love Chicago, and this country, if my life should be needed to save another, so be it.

Q: Have you faced any unexpected challenges as an officer?
R: Yes, I have encountered more challenges as a female police officer than I have as a female in the military. Some guys, without knowing you, automatically think that you might not be able to do the job and others just do not like to work with women.

Q: What has been your best experience as an officer?
R: The best experiences as a police officer have been the opportunities I have had to learn about all the different cultures and ways of life in Chicago. I love the interaction within the many communities Chicago has, it's a learning experience no book can give you. I have traveled to many cities and Chicago surpasses any in its beauty.

Q: You and your fellow officers repeatedly entered the building to help residents who were overwhelmed by the smoke down several flights of stairs. What injuries did you sustain?
R: I inhaled smoke and also injured my left knee. My knee was swollen from the amount of weight I carried that day, my doctor compared it to someone directly hitting my knee with a bat. I was off my feet for about ten days.
Separate from the physical injuries, I felt a lot of confusion and it took me a while to sort out my thoughts. That day totally changed the way I think about life, I needed that time off to come to grips with what happened and what life meant to me.

Q: Did everyone else make it out of the building safely?
R: All the residents made it out of the building safely. Two other officers and I were taken to the hospital suffering from smoke inhalation.

Q: After this incident do you think about the job you do differently?
R: Yes, I try to live life a little less complicated and have excluded negativity from my life. I don't let things bother me much, appreciate every single gesture of kindness, and I let my loved ones know that I care about them every single day of my life.
I've also finally completed my will, power of attorney and started saving money, in case something should happen to me I want to make sure my daughter is taken care of. Another big change I've made is realizing that work is not the only thing to live for and have made more time for my daughter, I am no longer afraid to show her affection.
More connected to the job, I work out a lot more now to make sure I am in the best shape, physically and mentally, to face any challenges that lay ahead.

Q: What does the honor and recognition you received from the Chicago Police Department and the City of Chicago mean to you?
R: This type of recognition means a whole lot to me as an immigrant. Everything that I have done to this point has been done to bring pride and joy to my family. Joining the military and then becoming a police officer was an attempt to keep myself alive and find a place to belong.

Learning about the US Constitution as a child I was fascinated with the idea that in this country you are free and able to become anything you want with a little perseverance. As an immigrant I am living proof of this idea and it was overwhelming to realize the idea I had of the American Dream. I have come further than I ever dreamed of and being recognized for my actions felt great.

Q: You know we are all proud of you Nora.
R: Yes, and it feels great. I do not get a lot of free time, but when I do it is so refreshing to see the many good people who are supportive of what I choose to do everyday. The job itself is not difficult, but people can sometimes make it a rough experience.

Nora believes it is within us to do what is right. I have met very few people in my life that can walk the walk, Nora is among the few, and I am proud to call her my friend.