Teachers and mentors on Wednesday shared that Rogelio Santander had an interest and passion for law enforcement long before he joined the Dallas Police Department in 2015 as a patrol officer.
Santander, 27, died one day after being shot by a suspect while attempting to make an arrest at a Home Depot in northeast Dallas on Tuesday. Another DPD officer and a civilian remained in critical condition.
His death was felt well beyond the state's second largest police department.
Santander got his first taste of law enforcement as an intern at Commerce Police Department in 2013, while he was still an undergraduate student at nearby Texas A&M - Commerce.
Interim Police Chief James Rector says Santander stood out in a sea of police interns the department has seen over the years.
On Wednesday, Commerce PD, along with firefighters and first responders held a flag lowering ceremony in honor of Santander.
"Rogelio was memorable," Rector said. "If you’ve been in the business long enough, you can see a guy that really has something to contribute to law enforcement. And that was apparent in Rogelio."
It's a trait that Santander personified even in high school, according to his AP Government teacher from Skyline High School in Dallas.
"I had no idea he would become a police officer but I can tell you, that would be the perfect job for him,” Candace McAfee told WFAA.
McAfee taught Santander during his senior year at Skyline in 2009.
“One of those students that just makes you happy when they come in the door," McAfee recalled.