Benjamin Gurley was the first in his family to become a police officer. But he almost didn't. He took the entrance exam when he was 19, but his score expired before he could be hired.

Officer Jose Collazo who knew Gurley from their time together at the South Bronx Police Athletic League center, where Gurley worked encouraged him to try again.

Collazo said he saw this energetic, motivated young man running all over the place and thought he ran the place himself.

Gurley said Collazo told him "you should try it and I’m going to tell you why." He said growing up in the Bronx he didn't have the outlook or insight into what the police department was really about.

Gurley did well on the test, joined the force and was assigned to the 41st precinct. 19 years later, Gurley serves as the Commanding Officer of the 43rd Precinct, overseeing 375 members of the NYPD.

The 43^rd precinct covers 4.3 square miles in the Soundview, Castle Hill, Parkchester Section of the Bronx and is one of the busiest commands in the city.

And Collazo's son, also Jose, is now a Detective in the 43rd.  He says his dad is his hero and it's nice to see how he's impacted lives besides his own and seeing him being recognized for that.

Inspector Gurley said he wants children living in the inner city to dream big because he never in a million years thought he'd be the Deputy Inspector of the 43rd Precinct in the Bronx.

Collazo said he knew that Gurley had become a police officer and the commander of 43rd Precinct. But he said he only learned recently how important he was in influencing Gurley's career choice, a choice that Gurley says is more rewarding than he ever could have imagined.

Gurley says it's a career where you can make a difference; you can make policy, and enforce policy.  He says you can do a lot to make a positive impact on the community.