TAMPA, Fla. – Being a hero shouldn’t be a time period used calmly, however a Tampa Homeland Safety Investigations (HSI) laptop forensic analyst is being honored with the title once more.
Nathan Cruz started his time with HSI as a HERO (Human Exploitation Rescue Operative) Little one Rescue Corps and was simply honored on the 2019 Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Awards Ceremony as a Hispanic Army Hero.
“One in all my mentors that has helped me since I first turned injured nominated me for the native honor,” Cruz mentioned. “Whereas I’m happy with the award, I’m as excited to indicate others you could succeed even when your life path takes a tough flip.”
Since becoming a member of HSI as a pc forensic analyst in 2014, Cruz has supported numerous search warrants, digital forensic missions and court docket instances. He’s additionally a member of the Fast Reponse Staff and took part in restoration efforts for Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and Hurricane Michael in Florida.
“The worth Nathan brings to HSI can’t be overstated,” mentioned HSI Particular Agent in Cost James C. Spero. “From his beginnings as a HERO intern, to his subject and forensic work, we’re fortunate to have him on our group.”
Along with retiring from the army and becoming a member of HSI by way of the HERO program, Cruz has additionally led an lively position in supporting the wounded warrior neighborhood, as a combat-injured service member himself, by way of mentoring and participation in adaptive sporting actions.
Cruz has actively participated in adaptive occasions, together with three marathons, a motorbike tour by way of the 5 boroughs of New York, a Dash Triathlon, Warrior Video games and a 500-mile occasion in the UK.
“Adaptive sports activities reworked the entire consequence of what my harm was purported to be; additionally they assist us to reintegrate with the neighborhood and alter the way in which we see ourselves” Cruz mentioned. “I get pleasure from utilizing my experiences to assist encourage others and function a mentor serving to them become involved in adaptive sports activities.”
Cruz credit participation in adaptive sports activities to serving to him keep bodily and emotionally match, making him a greater HSI worker, he mentioned.
“HSI is opening the doorways on recruiting combat-injured veterans and giving us a chance to deliver our experience to the sphere and permitting us to proceed serving our nation,” Cruz mentioned.
Cruz added, “Once we raised our palms we swore to guard our nation for all enemies, international and home, abroad we fought international enemies, now our mission is our home enemies.”
