From Cuban Refugee To Uber Driver To Sheriff's Deputy: Emigrant's Tale

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FL — It's been a long, hard road from Communist Cuba to Hillsborough County for Pedro Gonzalez Horstman and his family.

Born and raised in Havana, Cuba, Gonzalez Horstman left his homeland 15 years ago as a political refugee at the age of 37, accompanied by his wife.

Their possessions were few. Among them was a Spanish-English dictionary. He was determined to ultimately settle in the United States where he knew he would need to speak English.

In Cuba, Gonzalez Horstman served in the Cuban army and then as a police officer before attending college and becoming a lawyer. But he said he often felt conflicted by the politics of the Communist party.

"Because of political contradictions with the system, I decided to quit," he said. "It took five years for me to be able to leave the country. Emigration is a difficult decision to make because you know you are going to face difficult times as you leave your whole life behind you. When I left my country, I was crying because I didn't know what my destination was."

The Gonzalez Horstmans emigrated first to Ukraine, Mexico and then the United States, crossing the border in Laredo, Texas, in 2012.

Once in the United States, he became fluent in English and supported his family working whatever jobs he could find - a pizza delivery driver, an Uber driver and a teacher.

Shortly after he moved his family to Florida, Gonzalez Horstman happened to meet Hillsborough County sheriff's deputy Marilyn Alvarez. He recalled how impressed he was to see a woman in uniform.

"Then I learned it's a very important agency that takes care of the people in the community," Gonzalez Horstman said.

The chance encounter left a lasting impression on Gonzalez Horstman. After he became a U.S. citizen in 2019, he promptly applied to become a deputy with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

He joined the sheriff's office in November 2020 and graduated from the academy in June 2021.

Nine years after meeting Alvarez, he was reunited with her, this time wearing a deputy's uniform.

"That was an emotional time," he said. "She didn't remember me, of course, but I remembered her. When I saw her, it was an opportunity to say 'Thank you.'"

Today, Gonzalez Horstman is a patrol deputy working on the west side of Hillsborough County.

"I started this career when I was 51 years old. Now I am 52," he said.

He said he's proof that dreams can become a reality in the United States.

"The United States offers a lot," he said. "Any goal you have in this country, the United States, you can get it. I don't regret any decision I have taken in my life."

"Deputy Gonzalez Horstmann's journey to HCSO was filled with trials and triumphs, but he never let it deter him from reaching his end goal, which was to ultimately return to a career in law enforcement," said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. "Our Hillsborough County community will benefit from the many places he's been and all of the experiences he's had along the way."

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is currently hiring law enforcement, detention and non-sworn (civilian) positions. The sheriff's office offers signing bonuses, paid training and a free medical option.

To learn more about current openings or to apply for a position with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, click here or contact the sheriff's recruitment and screening section at 813-318-5300.