Officer Luis Cartagena knew he wanted to be a police officer since he was 13 years old. Now, that dream is a reality.

Officer Cartagena works in the Stamford Police Department, but his path to the uniform wasn't easy.

"My mom was just trying to find a stable home for us. Right before we got to Stamford, we were living in a homeless shelter in the Bronx," Cartagena said.

He said that experience will always live with him, and it makes him who he is today. Cartagena applied to nearly 20 police departments before joining Stamford's.

"I drove about an hour or two one way for an interview. I was doing whatever it takes because I knew this is where I was supposed to be," he said.

Stamford Police Capt. Douglas Deiso said Luis' unwavering resilience and ability to endure severe hardship is what stood out to him.

I didn't believe I was going to make it this far and become a police officer. I'm the first in the family so no one was really guiding me here," Cartagena said.