Service in Action with Joe Gonzalez

<p>Today on <em>Legacy Leavers</em>, we&#39;re welcoming Joe Gonzalez — a retired Des Moines Police Department leader whose 42-year career helped build lasting bridges between law enforcement and the community. As a trusted liaison, Joe championed outreach and trust-building and mentored many who came up behind him both at the police department but also in the community.   </p><p><br></p><p>Born in Mexico and raised in Des Moines from 1957, Joe was the eldest of seven, often translating for his parents — an early lesson in responsibility that shaped a lifetime of public service. He joined DMPD at the age of 18 and for years was the department’s only Latino officer, paving the way for others.  </p><p><br></p><p>After a 2013 on-duty accident ended his policing career, Joe turned resilience into service—stepping in as executive director of Iowa’s Latino Heritage Festival, a two-day celebration representing cultures from across Latin America.  </p><p><br></p><p>Joe’s story embodies our belief that we’re simply better together. <br> </p><p>Links from the Episode:</p><li><p><a href="https://www.stanthonydsm.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church </a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.dsm.city/departments/police/index.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Des Moines Police Department</a> </p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.latinoheritagefestival.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Iowa Latino Heritage Festival </a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://centralcampus.dmschools.org/about/central-campus-history/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Des Moines Technical High School </a>(now Des Moines Central Campus) </p></li>