Behind the Badge

Behind the Badge
Go behind the badge with our VTPD officers to learn some fun facts about them you may not have known!

John Waid
Detective - Investigations unit
Hometown: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Favorite thing about Virginia Tech: Interacting with the community and the Virginia Tech therapy dogs.
Greatest achievement: That my son is such a great person.
Last show you binge-watched: I've watched pretty much every single episode of Dateline.
Favorite family tradition: Christmas at my parent's.
Best part about working for VTPD: I enjoy working with the community and the chance to learn about other cultures.
What are your go-to movie theater snacks?: Heavily buttered popcorn.
Do you have any pets?: A pitbull named BB, a doberman named Caesar, and two ferrets named Ursula and Pumpkin Pi.
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on with no preparation?: Astronomy and coins.
Do you have any hidden talents?: Juggling, I can also throw a grape high in the air and catch it in my mouth.

Daniel Guilliams
Senior Officer - Community Service
Hometown: Rocky Mount, VA
Favorite thing about Virginia Tech: The sense of community
Greatest achievement: Marrying my wife and living the life!
Last show you binge-watched: Cobra Kai
Favorite family tradition: Everything dealing with Halloween
Best part about working for VTPD: Meeting new members of our community each year
What are your go-to movie theater snacks?: Buttery Popcorn is a must
Do you have any pets?: Layla Girl recently passed away but she will always be in our hearts
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on with no preparation?: Anything dealing with Horror Movies or Halloween
Do you have any hidden talents?: Construction, I'm also a big-time "YouTubing" mechanic, and jack of all trades.

Zuka
Age: 3.5 years
Weight: 103 pounds
Birthplace: Liberec, Czech Republic
Favorite treat: Pup-peronis
Favorite toy: Kong toy
Favorite spot to take a nap: In his outdoor Kennel
When he is off duty, he likes to: Bark at the deer or play in the yard
His main responsibilities are: Narcotic detection, apprehension, and tracking
Describe Zuka in three words: Loyal, courageous, intimidating
Hometown: Ironto, Virginia
Favorite thing about Virginia Tech: The numerous opportunities to meet new people from all over the United States and beyond
Greatest achievement: Successfully navigating the Law Enforcement Career for over 25 years
Last show you binge-watched: Longmire
Favorite family tradition: Annual beach trip with over 35 family members
Best part about working for VTPD: The opportunity to be an educator, mentor, and coach to young adults.
What are your go-to movie theater snacks?: Nonpareils
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on with no preparation?: Threat Assessment
Do you have any hidden talents?: Driving in reverse

Micah Pasquarell
Residence Life Resource Officer
2020 Virginia Tech Police Officer of the Year
Hometown: In my heart, Roanoke or Chengdu, China, though neither are technically correct.
Favorite thing about Virginia Tech: Having great conversations with people from all over the world!
Greatest achievement: Completing R.C.I.A. in 2017.
Last movie you watched: The Lord of the Rings: Extended Edition Trilogy.
Favorite family tradition: Putting first things first on Sunday with family and friends.
Best part about working for VTPD: Working with amazing colleagues in a community that is at the heart of Hokie Nation.
What are your go-to movie theater snacks?: I've got family from Iowa, so popcorn. A lot of it. Bucket.
Do you have any pets? A plethora of domesticated wildlife grace the landscape, though our feline would argue she isn't domesticated. Beware of cat.
What topic could you give a 20-minute presentation on with no preparation?: Anyone who knows me knows I can't be limited to a 20-minute presentation on anything...
Do you have any hidden talents?: I'd say I can sing, but my family would probably beg to differ...