Cambodian native Hwat Lou was the first minority police officer who served 28 years on the Rochester, Minnesota police force. The department recently celebrates his retirement.
“I can say I respect a lot of people in this world but Hwat Lou, you are right at the top,” said Captain John Sherwin.
Sherwin remembers a vehicle pursuit where Lou diffused a hostile situation.
“You’re calming him down. By the time he was in the car, he was apologizing to you and everything was handled,” the captain recalls. “I remember saying ‘I want to work with that guy.'”
Lou served as an important link between the Asian community and the police department. Mayor Kim Norton believes this diversity is part of making the department better.
In full here.