Henry Reyes has worked in law enforcement for 21 years, currently serving the community around Fort Worth, Texas, as chief deputy of the Tarrant County Sheriff’s Office.
In March 2020, he graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.
“It was a three-month long leadership academy with senior law enforcements from all over the world,” he said. “I was nominated by my agency’s sheriff and went through the same training as a lot of the FBI special agents and also took classes through the University of Virginia.”
The training he received at Quantico helped him to development a better understanding of dealing with officer’s wellbeing as a whole, including mental and spiritual health.
“The FBI focuses on holistic wellness. It was pretty neat because there was a physical fitness aspect of the academy, but we also looked at mental health, spiritual wellbeing and a lot of alternative wellness practices like yoga, Reiki and aromatherapy,” he said. “They really challenged us to look at our mind and tackle these problems…We broke a lot of barriers. A lot of us have been in law enforcement for more than 20 years and they basically asked us to rewire the way we think about officer wellness.”
Reyes also gained new skills and practices at the academy that he adapted to fight COVID-19.
“Right now with the pandemic, we’ve had to think of policies to implement and practices to adopt in order to address what’s happening and keep everyone safe. Now, through those lessons and the network I established at the academy, we have the ability to tap into what other agencies all around the world are doing.”
According to Reyes, the highlights of his career are the times he has mentored others.
“I’ve always had the benefit and advantage of having great mentors in my life, so when I get to be that for other people and see them move through the ranks, I always find a lot of joy and satisfaction in that,” he said.
Reyes gives back in another way, as well. For the last four years, he has traveled to Honduras with Project Impact.
“We work in remote villages and build gravity-fed water systems. We work side by side with the locals, learn their culture and share the gospel with them,” he said. “Every day you’re learning, you’re benefiting your department, you community and your family. I always want to set a good example.”
Reyes received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from CSU in 2009. He has since completed two master’s degrees and is working on his doctorate with Abilene Christian University.
“If it wasn’t for completing my undergraduate degree with CSU, the opportunity with the FBI National Academy wouldn’t have presented itself,” he said. “I always knew that I wanted to further my education to make me an asset to my respective organization. My family also impressed upon me the importance of completing my education to be an example to my children.”
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
Congrats!!! I also got a BS from Columbia Southern in 2010. Like you, I had a chance to attend the 244 class of the FBI National Academy in 2011. I am presently serving as Sheriff of Dallas Co., Al. The degree opened up several doors for me. I have over 30 years on the books. Not to far from retirement. Columbia Southern helped so much that I hope when I retire I will be able to go to work for them. I would love to do job fairs for the university and tell my story. I am forever grateful. Welcome to the FBI NA family brother.
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