Hometown Weekly Correspondent
This man in blue is doing more than policing a community — more than running after kids for drinking beer in the woods.
He’s running with them.
Sherborn police detective James Godinho donned his uniform and ran alongside students as part of April’s 1-mile Raiders Rock: Run, Roll or Walk event sponsored by the Sherborn Middle School.
Godinho, 32, has been a detective with the police department since 2012. While he usually works in plain clothes, he occasionally covers for patrol shifts in uniform if the department is short.
In his off time, he tries to show a different side of law enforcement as part of the Sherborn Middle School Peer Leadership Club and Sherborn High School Track Super Mario World & Field program.
“These opportunities have allowed for me, as a police officer and detective, to see the youth during moments of team-building, problem-solving, enjoyment, struggle and achievement that I and the police professionals may not have the opportunity to see if not for getting involved,” he said.
Three years ago, Andrea Merritt, a health and wellness teacher at the Sherborn Middle School, started the school’s first Peer Leadership Club. She invited Godinho to come speak to the 7th and 8th grade classes, and he’s been with the club ever since.
That meant taking part in the Run, Roll or Walk event.
“James ran with the students — in his uniform — finishing the route,” Merritt said. “The students love him. He’s very personable with a wonderful sense of humor. He has a nice ability to meet them where they are.”
Merritt says he shares a lot of his العاب اكشن own experience growing up … choices he’s made for himself.
“He’s not pushy at all,” she said. “He just talks about his journey through school and what was important to him. He always encourages the students to follow their own passions, whatever those may be.”
She called him a phenomenal athlete and said he set records running track at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Godinho also is involved through the high school with SPAN-DS (Substance Prevention Awareness Network, Dover-Sherborn), which hopes to inspire students to enjoy things that don’t involve drugs or alcohol.
It was halfway through her 7th grade year when Jillian Davis went to the first Peer Leaders meeting. The 14-year-old didn’t know what to expect. Her mom was involved and several of her friends were going.
“I ended up staying because of all the fun we had,” she said.
“James (he insisted we call him by his first name from the first meeting) was more of a peer than an authoritative figure.
“He joked with us all the time, saying he would give us the keys to his cruiser if we beat him in a pickup game of basketball or any of the other activities we did in the meetings.”
Davis was one of the groups of student organizers for the run, roll or walk event. The entire student body — students, faculty and staff — participated.
Godinho, who lives in Hopkinton with his wife Amy and their 3-year-old son Tyler, said he never got involved with drugs or alcohol.
“There are so many other things you can enjoy in the company of … friends without substances,” he said.
Mimi Krier, a Sherborn mother of three, is a former co-chairwoman of SPAN-DS. She’s worked closely with Godinho for the past three years.
“He’s an amazing human being and brings his authenticity to his work,” she said. “He embraced everything that we were doing and said, ‘I want to do more.’”
The group was running what’s known as a “social norming” campaign that uses positive approaches to prevent drug and alcohol use. Students are shown the “right” things to do instead of being drilled on all the bad things that can happen, Krier explained.
“James came at just the right time,” she said. “He saw that as an opportunity because he himself lives a very positive healthy life.”
Godinho, the second oldest of five children, said that growing up, his older brother David was his idol. “He took me under his wing and truly was a role model for me,” he said. “He was always there for me; he always included me and has never steered me in the wrong direction. In addition to my older brother’s guidance, I had an incredible passion for athletics and competition.”
Police Chief Richard Thompson describes Godinho as one of those unique professionals committed to the community-oriented problem-solving philosophy.
“He’s an integral part of our team,” Thompson said.
“James is a rare find in today’s world; he is one of very few people who have avoided using alcohol or any other drug. … His peers often goof on him for being the person he is and for following his beliefs. I have jokingly reminded him that the Easter Bunny is not real. James takes the joking in step and laughs heartily.
Thompson said Godinho’s beliefs, character and personality are a good fit for one of his roles as a mentor and coach to local students.
“He came to me several years ago and shared his desire to become more involved with the community,” the chief said. “He accepted our policing philosophy and understood the importance of building trust with kids. I was impressed with his desire to become more involved.
“His drive and compassion is almost intoxicating.”
Godinho didn’t always want to be in law enforcement. He developed the desire in college while studying criminal justice.
“Growing up as a little boy, I always dreamed of making it to the NBA,” he said, adding he was inspired by the Chicago Bulls’ Michael Jordan’s ability to “shake off his opponents and throw down a powerful dunk.” As he got older, his passion evolved into running.
His mother was his true hero, he said. She raised her children to believe in themselves, to reach for their dreams through hard work and to be respectful.
One of the best qualities in a leader is being able to lead by example — something Godinho says he tries to do as a police officer every day.
“I am not unique in the work I do,” he said. “There are so many other police officers who are committed to their community and who work so hard to build trust with their towns and cities, who have empathy and compassion for everyone they interact with and who strive for excellence in their field.
“Life is incredibly precious,” he said. “If I can inspire or motivate just a single student or athlete through my work with the youth, then I would consider every drop of time committed to that type of work a success.”
Davis is just one student in Peer Leaders he’s been able to inspire.
She cheered that day in April as Godinho raced the kids in the final 100 yards of the Run, Roll or Walk event.
“He waves from the cruiser if he sees a member walking to C&L Frosty,” she said. “And he played basketball with the group at our end of year party.
“But most importantly,” Davis notes, “James reinforces the importance of community and making good decisions without ever mentioning it.
“Meeting James has strengthened my decision to stay away from drugs and alcohol. Through his example, he has influenced and inspired me to make the same positive choices he did.
“He’s a role model to all of us.”
Editor’s Note: Linda Thomas writes for Hometown Weekly Publications. For comments and suggestions, she can be reached at [email protected].
