Ernesto "Ernie" Perez put on a hairnet and grabbed a serving spoon on Oct. 6, stepping behind the cafeteria counter at Willowbrook High School in Villa Park to serve lunch.
Perez, a detective with the Villa Park Police Department and the school's resource officer since 2023, said he jumped at the chance to interact with the school in a different setting, according to District 88.
"I want to continue to build and improve the relationship and communication between the police department, students and families," Perez said, according to DuPage Community News. "My goal is to bridge that gap and show the police department wants to be part of the community."
Perez has been a detective with the Villa Park Police Department since 2017. He said he serves as SRO to be a role model for young people and guide them on a positive life path, according to District 88.
He strives to get to know students and staff through various formats, venues and capacities, the district said.
Beyond the lunch line
The cafeteria appearance is one of several ways Perez has shown up outside his official duties.
On Aug. 25, he spoke to students enrolled in Willowbrook's Public Speaking & Communication Technology dual-credit course, delivering a "Me, Myself, and I" speech to encourage students to practice their speaking skills, according to District 88. The course is taught by English teacher Christine Calandra and CTE Department Head Mary Barney.
Three days earlier, on Aug. 22, Perez and Willowbrook Principal Dr. Daniel Krause sat in a dunk tank at the inaugural Villa Fest, a community celebration in Villa Park featuring live music, food and entertainment, according to District 88.
Army veteran turned school officer
Before joining the Villa Park Police Department, Perez served nine years in the U.S. Army, toured Iraq and is a combat veteran, according to a District 88 profile. He also worked at the Stone Park Police Department and the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Perez speaks English, Spanish and Italian. He helps coordinate Law Enforcement Exploring, a program for students interested in law enforcement or criminal justice careers.
He succeeded Donald Giammarino, who had served as Willowbrook's SRO since 2018.
Krause said the school is grateful for its partnership with the Villa Park Police Department and called the SRO position an important asset for maintaining a safe learning environment, according to the District 88 profile published when Perez started the role.
Perez kept up the pace in October. The Village of Villa Park said on X that during the Willowbrook vs. Addison Trail crosstown football game on Oct. 15, Perez joined the Warrior Cheerleaders for a shoulder stand stunt. He brought a sign with a friendly challenge for the Addison Trail SRO: "your turn!"
