Finally his time had come. RUPD’s Captain Alex Rabar waited 12 years to get into the FBI’s National Academy, considered one of the premier law enforcement training academies in the world. He received word that he had been accepted and he started training to prepare for the physically and mentally challenging course. Through it, he would overcome unanticipated physical and emotional obstacles and finally graduate with special recognition from FBI Director Christopher Wray.

Established in 1935, the academy provides advanced investigative, management, and fitness training to senior officers who are proven leaders within their organizations. It forges lifelong friendships and professional collaborations. The ten week course is held four times each year at the FBI’s training facility in Quantico, VA. Rabar was training hard in preparation to enter Session 284 with 236 other officers from around the world. The Session began on September 25, 2022.

“I was very pleased to get the call, and I was doing great in the academy when, in week six, I tore my meniscus,” Rabar said. Officers are allowed to return home on weekends, and Rabar received a cortisone shot on his weekend home, and returned with the goal of finishing all of the other events.  During this time, Rabar’s mother had been fighting pancreatic cancer. “It was hard for me to leave because my sister and I were taking my mom to her chemo appointments because my father is ill with prostate cancer.” Rabar explained that his absence left his sister to do everything.

“My mother was hanging in there, but my sister called me the second week into the program to tell me mom could no longer undergo chemotherapy. It just wasn’t working anymore. I was ready to quit,” he explained. Rabar’s mother told him to stay with it because she wanted to see him graduate. “It was hard,” said an emotional Rabar, “but technology really helped while I was away. I was able to FaceTime my parents and my family each night.”

In addition to the worries over his mother, Rabar’s program roommate began vomiting blood one morning. He was admitted to the hospital where it was found that he had ulcers, one of which hit a blood vessel. “He had no family with him, so every day after class I would visit him at the hospital to spend time with him,” Rabar explained. In the midst of all of this, Rabar developed bronchitis, but refused to quit. Finally, ten weeks had passed and it was time for graduation. Graduation is preceded by an optional six mile run and obstacle course. Rabar was ready to participate in the run and course when his sister called and said their mother was becoming increasingly ill, was barely able to speak, and had little time left. Rabar skipped the run, drove home to be by her bedside, where he stayed, holding her hand when she passed. She was aware, before she passed that he had completed the program.

Although he missed the run, Rabar drove through the night to return to Quantico for the graduation ceremony.

Much to his surprise, at the graduation ceremony, Director Wray called out Rabar specifically. “As you leave today, as lifelong friends, partners and friends, like your classmate Captain Alex Rabar of the Rutgers University Police Department. Alex waited 12 years for the opportunity to attend the national academy, and he wasn’t going to let the chance go by when it finally presented itself. So he got himself into peak physical condition before packing his bags for Quantico, and then disaster struck, and Alex blew out his knee after he got here, but that did not stop Alex, and he pressed though the injury. And when his roommate was hospitalized for a week, Alex put that roommate first and stayed with him every night. Alex’s perseverance and strength gained him the respect of staff and colleagues alike, and your counselors called Alex, and I quote, ‘the best roommate in Session 284 and possibly in national academy history.’ ”

In a memo to his fellow officers, Kenneth Cop, Executive Director and Chief of Police, University Public Safety said, “Today December 8, 2022  Captain Alex Rabar graduated from the 284th session of the FBI National Academy following 10 weeks of intensive academic and physical training with elite law enforcement representatives from around the world.  Captain Rabar had waited 12 years in anticipation of participating in this training opportunity and certainly represented the RUPD in an outstanding way.  FBI Director Christopher Wray personally highlighted the resilience, compassion, and sacrifice that Captain Rabar exemplified during the session.  He faced several hurdles along the way and while facing his own challenges he helped other classmates overcome theirs.  He was one of only a few graduates that were individually highlighted during the graduation ceremony.  Please congratulate Captain Rabar on his achievements during the FBI National Academy and welcome him back.” John Huertas, Chief of Police RUPD Newark added, “I have worked with Captain Rabar for many, many years and was not surprised at his persistence in overcoming so many unforeseen obstacles. His dedication to his role as a police officer is on display every day. His resilience is always there, even in the most difficult moments.”

“I would not have been able to get through this without the amazing support of my classmates, awesome instructors, and my family,” a humbled Rabar said of the program which is known for the bonds it creates among the officers. “I did very well and made a lot of lifelong friends,” he said, adding, “So many of them showed up at my mother’s wake, many from very far away. It was incredible.”

Rabar is returning to Quantico on March 14 to complete the final run. So far, once again demonstrating the special bonds formed at the academy, over 50 of his classmates have signed on to do the run with him.

“I am glad my mom told me to go back, finish, and graduate,” Rabar concluded.

Featured in the IP&O Newsletter, February 2023.