by KYW's Michelle Durham
Michelle introduces you to an FBI Training Academy classmate, whose story of courage in the face of adversity is an incredible one.
Sam's family -- including parents, siblings, grandparents and uncles -- came to the United Stats to escape the violent civil war in Cambodia, and ultimately wound up in West Philadelphia. (Sam, shown running in the photo above, isn't his real name. We've changed his name to protect his identity).
He says responsibility for survival came early:
"I started working at a young age to help support the family," he says, "because we were in a two room apartment with everybody."
The family finally saved money for their own home, but it was fire bombed years later. Police say it was a case of mistaken identity. A close relative died. And the incident changed Sam's life.
"Police officers and detectives of the Philadelphia Police Department were very helpful -- lending their hands, (providing) counseling for my younger siblings, money for the funeral and so. I was touched by that and felt compelled to become a police officer and lend my hand to another family that might be in need."
Sam's message is simple:
"No matter what your surrounding is, ultimately it's up to you. You make the choice. I had aspirations. No matter what obstacles are in front of you, you can hurdle them. If you want it, you are going to get there. That's the bottom line."
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