San Andreas, CA…San Andreas CHP Officer John Fernandez recently retired from the United States Army after nearly 21 years of service. He started his career in the active duty Army in September 1997 as an Infantryman. A few years later he transitioned to the Military Police. His active duty career spanned over a decade and included a deployment to Afghanistan where he earned the Combat Action Badge and Bronze Star Medal. In 2008, he transitioned from active duty to the Army Reserve and also began his career with the CHP.

Above, Officer Fernandez (right) is receiving his Retirement Certificate from his Commanding Officer, Major Jeffrey Doyle, a folded United States flag after receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for his years of distinguished service and a framed print of a Combat Support Military Police Team as a retirement gift from the members of his unit.

In the Army Reserve, he was a Military Police Trainer and Operations Noncommissioned Officer. He retired on July 2nd as a Master Sergeant (E-8) from the 91st Training Division at Fort Hunter Liggett, CA.