Aplauda -Sergeant David Rosado
Want to add some magic to this Christmas season? Contact Sergeant David Rosado of the Chesapeake Sheriff’s office. Mixing magic with his duty to serve, Sergeant Rosado travels Hampton Roads educating the public of all ages on a variety of safety and prevention topics. ¡Aplauda! caught up to this public servant at Cedar Manor Assisted Living as he presented a safety workshop on fraud. The magical moment of the burning wallet kept the audience attentive.
“I like fighting tricks “scams” with tricks,” said Sgt. Rosado. “I fell in love with magic in New York and began an additional career as a magician.”
Sergeant Rosado speaks of having gained lots of different skills throughout the years including “anything necessary” as Personal Assistant to Investigative Reporter, Geraldo Rivera, for ten years. Now he calls Chesapeake Virginia home and where he continues to work with Sheriff John R. Newhart and the public at large.
Hampton Roads neighborhood you live in now. How long?
My parents moved into the Chesapeake area in 1996 and I came along in ’99.
Current Profession?
I am a full-time Public Information Officer with the Chesapeake Sherriff’s Office. Because I also studied magic and performed in New York restaurants and clubs, I use some magic as part of my public information workshops for schools and community groups. I also perform, as schedule permits, for private events. You can see more information at www.calientemagic.com.
Personal role model that influenced your life? Why?
Definitely my father! I learned about hard work from my father. I even worked with him for a while. He worked at a factory for twenty-four years only to have nothing to show for it because they embezzled his pension plan. But even with all he went through he supported me and my brother and mom. He has a great personality; I get my humor from him. Thank God my both parents are alive and here with me. I get to eat my mom’s Puerto Rican (arroz con gandules) rice and pigeon peas and my kids interact with them all the time.
How well do you think the United States in general, but Hampton Roads in particular, have done in creating opportunities and accommodating Spanish-speaking people?
Everything I needed from the Spanish speaking community I got from my immediate family at first. Outside of my family, I noticed and missed in Hampton Roads the interaction of Spanish-speaking people in the trains, the streets, and stores like in New York. I did experience resistance to my speaking in Spanish once. I had to remind a local that we were in America and I could speak whatever language I chose. I now work to inform and educate the community of the variety within the Hispanic culture as well as share of my pride in being of Puerto Rican decent. I’m also working to bring Spanish classes through the Chesapeake Sherriff’s Office Academy. I think law enforcement personnel can gain more respect if we’re able to communicate in Spanish where needed.
How do you see yourself giving back to the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads?
I’m working to be a good Latino role model of law enforcement for the community. Imagine going into schools and giving Latino kids the hope that they too could be a cop, judge, or a Sherriff someday.
What influence do you think the Hispanic population has had on the Hampton Roads community?
Flavor. We bring some spice and diversity to the community.
Words of wisdom for the Hispanic population of Hampton Roads?
Sky’s the limit! It’s a good time to be Hispanic in the USA. There’s great opportunity in marketing, doesn’t matter who you are, money is green in every language. Equip yourself to be bilingual and available to many companies that need either services or good Latino companies.
Of what life achievements are you most proud?
Being a father for sure. I never thought I was going to have kids. I married late. But now I’ve got two kids and they’re my pride and joy.
Catch Sergeant Rosado at a workshop near you, the moment will be magical. Read more at calientemagic.com.
¡Aplauda!
IRM 2008
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