NORFOLK, Va. - It's been 41 years since the end of the Vietnam War on April 30, 1975. More than 5,500 Vietnamese people call Hampton Roads home. One of them, a Norfolk Police Officer, said he's living the American dream.
Chris Phan came to America from Vietnam as a toddler. He knew he wanted to go into law enforcement after his first encounter. 
"Once I saw them I said, 'Man that’s what I gotta do.' They are impressive guys, the professionalism. I didn't grow up wanting to be a police officer, but once I got my foot in the door, I didn’t want to do anything else. This is something for me for the rest of my life. This is the greatest job I could ever think of," said Officer Phan.
After Officer Phan joined the force, his first call on duty was because of his background. "She was just asking for assistance, once she figured out I was Vietnamese and I could speak the language, she calmed down greatly."
While there are thousands of Vietnamese people in Hampton Roads, Officer Phan stands out. He said if someone in the Vietnamese community says 'the Vietnamese police officer' he instantly comes to mind. "They are very proud," said Officer Phan.
Local business owner Don Nguyen said not many Asians, let alone Vietnamese, pursue careers in law enforcement, so to have a police officer is a big deal. "I got to be proud of who he is," said Nguyen.
Nguyen owns Serenity Spa & Nails in Ghent. While he speaks English well, he said for those who can't, especially the elderly, knowing there's a Vietnamese police officer eases his mind. "We can make a phone call, not to complain, but if we have a problem, we know there's help."
Officer Phan said one domestic call in particular sticks out in his mind. He was responded to the call at an Ocean View home.
"She just wasn't sure what her rights were. When I went there I explained to her, even if you`re a woman, you have rights just like a man here."
Both Phan and Nguyen said they are grateful to be Americans. Nguyen risked his life in order to call America home, recounting his 52-day boat escape.
"We had people dying left and right on the boat, all that tragedy you hear from the boat people...I was one of them," said Nguyen.
The same reason Nguyen fled Vietnam is one of the reasons Officer Phan has a passion for the badge.
"If they come from Vietnam to here, they perceive law enforcement as the bad guys, well they`re not really going to help me, they`re corrupt. That`s why when I come here, I want to do my job better. That`s not what we`re about. We`re here to make everybody safe. That`s what I love about this job," said Officer Phan.
Officer Phan hopes he can serve as a role model to other kids and inspire them to be police officers too.
