Personal tragedy leads UofL grad to career in law enforcement
A local father is proud to stand behind his son as he celebrates a milestone.
The family didn't just survive losses, they turned the losses into motivators for success.
Stevonte Wood was all smiles at Ekstrom Library just ahead of his college graduation.
"It's going to be an experience that I'm never going to forget," Wood said.
The University of Louisville senior is excited for the future, but that excitement is subdued by his past.
In November 2009, Wood's life changed in an instant.
A fight on the basketball court escalated and ended with two gunmen coming into his apartment.
"The gunmen closed us in, one on each end of the breezeway, and shot my brother five times in the back," Wood said.
Seconds later, Wood watched as his mother was shot in the mouth.
His mother and brother died from their injuries.
"I had to kind of figure out which way to go," Wood said.
Wood said at first he was angry and rebellious but then had to utilize the resources he had, and education was one of the most easy resources to allocate.
He said through knowledge, he gained inspiration.
"I'm not the only one that experienced a horrific crime. I don't feel entitled to anything," Wood said.
Wood does feel a responsibility to serve, however.
"Sharing my story and helping people is a great way for me to grieve. If I would've continued to just sit down and feel bad for myself, then I can't prevent this from happening to other people," Wood said.
Wood will graduate Saturday with a degree in criminal justice.
He hopes to become a police officer.
"I learned that one, these are people just like me, and two, I learned the severity of their obligation," Wood said.
It's an obligation he is hungry for, as he prepares to walk at graduation.
"It's going to be amazing. I already know that it's going to be something great because it took so long to get here," Wood said.
Wood said he would not be where he is without the support of his father, his professors at UofL and his teachers at Western High School.
After graduation, he plans to send his resume to different police departments, including Louisville Metro Police Department.