Former Calexico police explorer recognized
CALEXICO — If Calexico resident Exon Luna could continue being in the Calexico Police Department’s explorer program, he likely would.
CPD Police Chief Gonzalo Gerardo playfully made this guess as he recognized Luna during the Calexico City Council meeting on Wednesday.
Luna who recently turned 21, has aged out of the explorer program. He reached the rank of captain.
After making some public comments, Gerardo presented Luna with a plaque and a tumbler cup with the CPD badge and “Captain Luna” engraved on it.
“I want to thank you very much, Exon,” Gerardo said.
This was the first plaque that the chief had ever presented to someone who aged out of the program.
“Kind of like retirement,” Gerardo said of Luna’s departure.
Luna was born in the Imperial Valley, was raised in Calexico and graduated from Calexico High School.
He joined the explorer program in 2014 at the age of 14. He frequently signed himself up to participate in the program’s color guard.
Gerardo noted that Luna went from the rank of explorer, corporal, lieutenant and then captain.
“He skipped sergeant,” the chief said. “He’s so good that he said, ‘I don’t want to be a sergeant. I want to go from corporal to lieutenant.’ And he did it. He set his goals to do it.”
Luna is attending San Diego State University to earn a degree in public administration. After graduating, he plans to put himself through a police academy.
“And he just told me right now when I asked him, ‘Where are you going to want to work?’” Gerardo said. “He says he wants to come back and work in Calexico.
“Whoever is around, guys, I’m telling you, you better do what you can to hire this guy,” the chief continued. “Because it’s people like him — dedication as an explorer, rising up the ranks, from just a regular explorer to an explorer captain — that really sends a message of leadership.”
After receiving his plaque, Luna encouraged anyone who wants to become a police officer to join the explorer program.
“It will motivate them to become a police officer,” he said. “I served as an explorer for around six years. I met some great people — some officers, sergeants, chiefs. And I want to thank everyone who gave me the opportunity to be a police explorer. Thank you.”