Jesus Olvera was raised in Immokalee. After graduating from Immokalee High School, he attended Edison Community College for two years and obtained his Associate in Arts degree. Feeling a pull toward public service, Olvera then went to work for the North American Family Institute at Hendry Correctional Institute for a couple of years. He later left this program, and transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice in Naples where he continued to work with troubled adolescents. Ready for a change, Olvera enrolled at the Southwest Florida Criminal Justice Academy in Fort Myers in March of 2003. While there, he earned his certification in Corrections. He worked in the Hendry County Sheriff’s Department’s jail until he had the opportunity to move over to law enforcement. During this time he went back to the academy, and completed their crossover program allowing him to attain his Law Enforcement certification in June of 2004. Between 2004 and 2007, Olvera was hired as a road patrol officer in Clewiston by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office. In 2007, while working under former Sheriff Ronnie Lee, Olvera was promoted to corporal. Later, in 2009, the current HCSO Sheriff Steve Whidden promoted Olvera to sergeant. As a road patrol officer, Sgt. Olvera has many daily responsibilities. He is the shift supervisor, and has had Deputy Wyatt and Deputy Rayburn under his supervision for nearly two years. Sgt. Olvera stated that “they are a great team to work with” and “there is a great deal of trust between us.” He is also proud to say that during his tenure at the Hendry County Sheriff’s Department, he has had the opportunity to work under four different lieutenants, all of whom he regards as “amazing people.” Along with making sure all procedures and rules are followed by his team, Sgt. Olvera assists his deputies as needed, takes calls for service, addresses complaints about deputies from citizens, patrols neighborhoods, performs security checks for residents who are out of town, and builds a rapport with local business owners by doing security checks day or night. He noted that “public relations is a top priority with this job.” Sgt. Olvera is part of the HCSO Award Committee. He is proud that he gets to be a part of recognizing nominated individuals for their outstanding efforts and performance. Once a recipient is chosen, Sheriff Whidden and Chief Nelson present the award to each individual. In order to find new prospective employees to join the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, Sgt. Olvera often finds himself traveling with the Recruitment Team. This team will travel to career days at universities as well as visit new graduates from law enforcement academies to recruit those looking for employment in the field. In his spare time, Sgt. Olvera is a family man who enjoys spending time with his relatives. He is also actively involved in his kid’s sporting events. The life of a law enforcement officer is never easy. It’s comforting to know that there are men and women who continue to want to protect and serve our great nation. Sgt. Olvera is a prime example of someone who loves his family, his fellow citizens and his job.