SUTTON – Officer Derek R. Desruisseaux raised a police-issued bulletproof vest over 15-year-old Gabby De Mora’s head. The flack jacket rested heavy on her shoulders as she pulled two Velcro straps around her torso.

“I’ve never worn a bulletproof vest before,” said the Sutton High School freshman. “I could not believe this was actually happening.”

While participating in the Sutton Police Department’s Ride Along Program, De Mora recalled when she first fell in love with the idea of becoming a police officer. She was about five years of age when her grandmother was having health problems and her family had to call 911 for emergency help.

“Every time we called 911, the police were always the first ones to arrive to help,” she said. “I remember always getting a comforting feeling when I saw them. They were here to help and protect us. Ever since, I’ve wanted to help people like they do.”

De Mora’s initial involvement with the Sutton Police came in 2018 when the department ran their Junior Police Academy. The Academy is held periodically, depending on the interest level from the community. Desruisseaux said its objective is to help give kids a chance to learn about a career in law enforcement, as well as provide exposure to different avenues through a multitude of hands-on and classroom activities. The academy taught De Mora about working crime scenes, dealing with motor vehicle accidents and  understanding the dangers of drunk driving. She even witnessed the Jaws of Life and the Life Flight helicopter in action.

After that, De Mora was determined to learn and experience more from the Sutton Police. When the opportunity for a ride-along arose, De Mora jumped at the chance.

“It was exhilarating,” she said. “Once I had [the vest] on, Officer Desruisseaux said, ‘okay! Let’s go!’ And we were out the door of the police station and into the cruiser.”

Desruisseaux, a member of the Sutton Police Department since 2017, said the Ride-Along Program is intended to give members of the public, like De Mora, a “behind-the-scenes” look of the overall functions of the Police Department. “It gives civilians an opportunity to meet, interac  and ride with an officer, to learn about the profession and answer questions they may have pertaining to the day-to-day operations of a police officer in the Town of Sutton.”

Desruisseaux said he was impressed by De Mora’s drive and ambition.

“Upon meeting Gabby, I saw a positive, motivated and an overall well-rounded individual who would be a great asset to the law enforcement profession,” he said. “She was polite, respectful and excited to begin learning about the profession she hopes to one day be a part of.”

De Mora sat in the passenger side of the police cruiser and noticed the computer equipment stationed between the driver and passenger seats.

“We watched for speeding, and when he suspected someone going too fast, he could type in the license plate in the computer and all this information would pop up onto the screen. I was amazed by it.”

De Mora said they made a few traffic stops that night. She stayed in the car where she was safe.

“Before I went, I was a little nervous,” she said. “I didn’t know what to expect, and I was afraid it was going to be awkward, but Officer Desruisseaux made me feel comfortable and we talked the entire time.”

Officer Desruisseaux offered sage advice to his young junior officer: keep her head up and be herself. De Mora, currently a high-honors student, plans to continue hher ride-along shifts and hopes to have an internship with the Sutton Police as a senior for her independent study. After high school, she is interested in possibly joining the Air Force or getting her degree in criminal justice at either Boston University or Fitchburg State.

De Mora said whenever there is some tragedy or a shooting, the people to go toward the danger are the police. “They put their lives on the line so I can go to school or walk into a store safe,” she said. “Sure, it’s dangerous, but I think I really have a passion for it. 

“After I came home from my first ride-along, the adrenaline was pumping,” she said with a smile. “I’m hooked! I always wanted to help people and I think being a police officer is the best way I can achieve that dream.”