Sahuarita, AZ, WPH Press, 10/27/24
Sahuarita Police Sergeant James Oviedo is one of handball’s heroes, not only protecting his Sahuarita community, but inspiring youngsters and fellow police officers to become physically active and to develop social skills through handball.
Sergeant Oviedo caught the handball bug playing 1-Wall in New York City and was inspired to become a police officer by playing 1-Wall handball with NYPD officers as a youth. Those childhood handball experiences not only inspired him to play handball, but also to become a police officer to keep the Sahuarita community safe. Sergeant Oviedo spends much of his time paying it forward on the courts, growing the game and teaching life lessons through handball.
“Helping the children manage a game develops their social skills when they are on the playground,” stated Sergeant Oviedo to Tucson KGUN sports anchor Jason Barr while coaching a middle school handball clinic at Wrightson Ridge Middle School in Sahuarita. “For law enforcement, we would rather see them now in a good way than down the road.”
“It’s part of a community engagement initiative, they are making a connection,” stated KGUN sports anchor Jason Barr.
“I’m really glad the Sahuarita Police Department can come down, not only to protect us, but also teach us a sport,” stated Bryan Naranjo, seventh grader at Wrightson Ridge Middle School in Sahuarita. “They are still humble and bonding with one another.”
In addition to coaching handball in schools, Sergeant Oviedo has introduced the game to many officers, to include Officer Chris Perez. “Chris is an outstanding human being and seasoned fellow officer who caught the vision of what the sport can do personally and for others,” stated Sergeant Oviedo. “We were able to provide him care packages with gloves, handballs, eye guards and treats for more than fifty soldiers and Kuwaiti Nationals. The program is still in effect and Chris stays in contact now that he is back stateside. Chris also assists myself and John Henning in a community policing outreach with kids at the schools to reach not only children but their parents along with teachers.”
Watch the KGUN News feature on handball at Wrightson Ridge Middle School in Sahuarita HERE
Thank you to Sergeant James Oviedo and his handball coaches John Henning and many others for giving back to the game and making a positive difference in the lives of so many.
Pictures and info courtesy of Sergeant Oviedo
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer