Ken Fox

My why and my purpose became to be that person that I needed growing up.

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I'm Ken Fox, a captain with the Omaha Police Department. But my real passion? Community service. I co-founded the Black Police Officers Association of Omaha, focusing on youth engagement. We start our programs at age five, building relationships early so kids see us as coaches and community figures, not just cops.

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There was this family we met through coaching baseball. The mom had six kids, clearly overwhelmed. We saw they needed us in their lives. Things got tough - abuse, trauma, displacement. But we stayed the course.

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Fast forward to recently. We lost one of the kids tragically. At the funeral, seeing all those displaced siblings come together - it was heartbreaking, but also inspiring. Despite everything, they're doing so well now. It showed the power of having people who value you, who help get you to the right places.

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The highlight of my career? Leading a $1.7 million project to build a state-of-the-art baseball field in a gang-overrun neighborhood, honoring a fallen colleague. Kerrie Orozco motivated me to coach baseball, even though I'd never played. She said it wasn't about the sport, but teaching life skills. After she was killed in the line of duty, carrying on her legacy became my mission.

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Public service isn't about money or notoriety. It's about impact. It's life-changing work that requires commitment and perseverance. You have to know your “why” and embrace it. There won't be many thank-yous, but the fulfillment is immeasurable.

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To the younger generation considering this path: You can make an impact in ways big and small. Whether it's creating programs or volunteering for an hour, it all matters. You're giving a voice to those who don't have one. That's what public service means to me.

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