Officer Steve Baird

What is a hero? According to the Thorndike Dictionary, ”A hero is a person admired for their bravery, great deeds, or noble qualities." Heroes are great people in the world. My hero is Officer Steve Baird. He lives in Rockaway, New Jersey, and is a police officer in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. He was born in 1960 in Newark, New Jersey. He is a wonderful role model!

Officer Steve has been a police officer for eighteen years. He did not go to college, but he did go to Essex County Police Academy from January 12, 1987 to May 7, 1987. Officer Steve teaches at Memorial Middle School, St. Catherine’s, and Cedar Grove High School. He said, “Other than a police officer, I am a D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education And Training) and T.I.G.S. (Teen Institute in Garden State) teacher."

Officer Steve wanted to become a police officer because, as he says, “I wanted to help people in my community and teach kids it is wrong to do drugs, smoke and drink." Officer Steve helps our community a lot. He is an important person because he helps his students make the right decision concerning drugs, drinking, and smoking.

Officer Steve makes a difference in my life because he makes me think twice about the choices I need to make. He makes me want to teach students that drugs are wrong. Lastly, he makes me want to help my community.

In conclusion, a hero is someone you look up to. Officer Steve Baird is a great person because he makes Cedar Grove a wonderful place and Memorial Middle School a safe place. I could not imagine Cedar Grove, New Jersey, or Memorial Middle School without Officer Steve Baird! He is my hero!