Manteca Police Officer Eric Esparza has spent the last two years of his career making an impact on the City of Manteca.

The former Oakland Police Officer was honored this week as the Manteca Police Employee of the Quarter for going “above and beyond” in the performance of his duties as a sworn law enforcement officer. Esparza just recently joined the city’s K9 team and is known as a valuable member of the department’s training committee.

But his work as a police officer is not the only thing that he has going on.

In addition to spending a nearly a decade protecting communities in Northern California, Esparza also has a 22-year-and-counting career with the United States Army – currently serving as a Sergeant First Class in his 14-year stint in the Army Reserves.

During his military tenure, of which he spent eight years on active duty in addition to the 14 as a reservist, Esparza has been deployed four times – including three combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We are extremely fortunate to have Officer Esparza on our team and we look forward to watching his career progress with the Department,” the Manteca Police wrote in a release announcing the honor. “He is a natural leader and the type of Officer that other Officers turn to for guidance and assistance.”

Ezparza was the second employee honored this year with the award, which is open to staff members and sworn officers in the department that go above and beyond in the performance of their duties.

To contact Bulletin reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.