From the Apopka Police Department and Staff Reports
The Apopka Police Department added two new officers to its force on Friday at a City Hall swearing-in ceremony officiated by APD Chief Michael McKinley.
Officer Francisco “Frank” Diaz, 40 years of age, was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico. He was raised in Apopka, where he graduated from Apopka High School in 2000.
Diaz immediately joined the United States Marine Corps, where he retired after 16 years of service as a Gunnery Sergeant.
His career in the Marines took him all over the world, which included 3rd Battalion 2nd Marine Regiment (Camp Lejeune, N.C.), 3rd Battalion 1st Marine Regiment (Camp Pendleton, California), Scout Sniper, and eventually becoming the Chief Instructor for Scout Sniper School at Camp Geiger, North Carolina.
Diaz not only served a distinguished career as a Sniper and Lead Instructor, but also attended the extremely prestigious and demanding Marine Corps Drill Instructor School located at Parris Island, South Carolina.
Diaz served with distinction as a Marine Corps Drill Instructor for 3rd Battalion, Mike Company from 2004-2006. His deployments included Okinawa, Japan, Afghanistan (two times), Kuwait, Iraq, and with the 31st MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit) where he deployed to many countries around the world.
Diaz is married and has three children, Jackelyn, Jayden, and Jace. Diaz continued his education and graduated from American Military University in 2021 with an Associate of Arts degree (General Studies).
During his off time, Frank enjoys recreational shooting, jet skiing, and camping with his family. Officer Diaz attended the Police Academy at the School of Public Safety, Valencia Community College, Basic Law Enforcement Academy 22-02.
“[I want] to give back to the community that I was raised in," Diaz said when asked why he chose a career in law enforcement.
In contrast to Diaz, Officer Justin Burgos is just starting his career.
Burgos, who is 19 years of age, was born in Brooklyn, and raised in Bay Ridge/Brooklyn, New York, graduating from Fort Hamilton High School in 2021.
Burgos was raised in a Law Enforcement family, where his father attained the rank of Deputy Inspector for the NYPD and his mother attained the rank of Sergeant from NYPD. Both are now retired and his father now lives in Ocala.
Burgos enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family during his time off. Burgos attended Lake Technical College Institute of Public Safety for his Police Academy training, where he graduated at the top of his class in July 2022.
“I got into Law Enforcement because I came from a family of Law Enforcement and I’ve seen it my whole life, and always wanted to become a Police Officer", Burgos said when asked why he chose a career in law enforcement.
“We are excited to have these three new members of the Apopka Police Department," said McKinley. "We look at a lot of applications before filing one of our police officer positions, and these three individuals met our standards. I am looking forward to them serving our community once they complete their field training program. Along with meeting our stringent standards, the diversity of this group continues to show our ongoing commitment to ensure our agency reflects the community we serve.”