We stand on the shoulders of everyday giants.
Officer Earin Jackson’s role model is her mom, Sonji. Sonji raised two children as a single mother. She taught her kids independence, perseverance, and toughness. Sonji worked as a welder on an offshore oil rig until a car wreck forced her into a career change. She would tell her children “there’s no room for complaints” and to focus only on things you can control. This outlook has shaped Officer Jackson into the person she is today – a mother, a caretaker, a fitness enthusiast, a Community Affairs Officer, and she was the first female operational member of the RRPD SWAT Team. To Officer Jackson, her mom is her superhero.
Officer Obinna Nwachukwu looks up to his mother, Bridget. She was born in Nigeria, moved to the U.S. at 19 years old, and is now an accountant for the State of Texas. As a mother of five, she worked diligently on a daily basis. With this determination and hard work, she ensured that each of her children obtained college degrees. She instilled in her kids the values of faith, family, education, and hard work. Officer Nwachukwu is currently working towards his Master’s degree. He knows he could never fully repay her for her sacrifices, but every day he strives to make her proud.
Records Supervisor Sandra Thomas says she was blessed with a “happy and simple” childhood. She thanks her parents, Julia and Louis, and their hard work for this upbringing. They raised three children on custodial salaries and each summer they took a road trip from California to visit family in Texas. They would take the scenic route and visit up to 13 states along the way. Sandra still enjoys traveling and road trips. Her own commitment to hard work has led to a long career with UCLA Police, a managerial role at RRPD, and a coveted spot in the City of Round Rock’s 2023 Leadership Development Program.
Chief Allen Banks was shaped by his family, coaches, and supervisors. He aims to continue passing it on by serving as a role model for others. He instills the core values of Community, Honor, Integrity, and Pride within each employee of the Round Rock Police Department – sworn and civilian, male and female. He leads by example through his professionalism, work ethic, and openness. Nine years ago, he made history as the first African American police chief in the Austin-metro area. He encourages future leaders to “never sell yourself short” and that anyone can leave a lasting legacy.
