HANOVER COUNTY, Va. -- For Phat Nguyen, the Fourth of July, is the ultimate celebration. It’s Christmas, New Years, and Halloween rolled into one. The 35-year-old adores what the holiday represents.
"As long as he has been here. He loves the fireworks," his wife Amanda said. "He loves the celebration. He loves everything about the celebration. He lives for the day."
In 2002 Nguyen, his mom, and dad escaped Vietnam’s repressive communist government. Phat didn’t know a word of English when the family started a new life in Baltimore. But he adapted.
“As soon as we come over here, we knew this was home,” Phat said. “A lot of tourists go to Vietnam and they say, ‘Oh Vietnam is not bad.’ But they don’t know about the Vietnam that I know. I’m going to do whatever it takes to fit in.”
For Phat his new life didn’t mean accumulating material wealth.
“Freedom is the most important aspect of the American Dream,” he said.
The immigrant was determined to show appreciation. In 2005, Phat joined the United States Army, serving a dangerous combat tour in Iraq.
After the military, Phat graduated from college and got a job. But he wasn’t satisfied with a 9 to 5 job.
Three years ago, Deputy Nguyen joined the Hanover County Sheriff’s Department.
“I believe I am the right person for the job, and I am really happy to be here,” Phat said.
Sgt. Steve DiLoreto said his colleague serves a role model for other officers.
"He is always happy. He is always positive. He is very driven,” DiLoreto said. "This is someone who has not been given anything. He came and made his mark. He is doing good in his community. He has given back to his community."
Phat said wearing the badge is an honor.
"I took a pay cut to be a police officer. I am really proud to be a police officer and I do it for a reason,” Phat said. "I don’t want to be a free-loader in this country."
Serving country and county, it’s Phat Ngyuen’s American Dream come true.
"If you lived here your whole life and never been anywhere you don’t understand how lucky you are to be here in America," he said.
Greg McQuade features local heroes in a weekly “Heroes Among Us” segment. Watch Greg’s reports Thursdays on CBS News at 6 or here on WTVR.com. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured on “Heroes Among Us,” click here to email heroes@wtvr.com.
Watch CBS 6 News at 6 p.m. Thursdays for Greg McQuade's "Heroes Among Us" reports. If you know of someone CBS 6 should feature, email heroes@wtvr.com
Watch CBS 6 News at 6 p.m. Thursdays for Greg McQuade's "Heroes Among Us" features. If you know of someone CBS 6 should feature, email heroes@wtvr.com. Click here to view more "Heroes Among Us" reports.
