HAPCOA Past President Named to National Wresting Hall of Fame

On July 23, 2025, HAPCOA’s former National President Hector Hernandez (2008-2010) was selected to receive the National Wrestling Hall of Fame “Outstanding American” Award. This National Award acknowledges the recipient’s wrestling achievements during his lifetime and credits the many lessons learned in the sport for helping Hector achieve great career success.

Hector born in El Paso, TX, graduated from Eastwood High School. He received a full wresting scholarship to New Mexico Highlands University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a Master of Arts degree in Sociology. While attending New Mexico Highlands University Hector became the University’s first United States National Wrestling Champion. He was also selected to represent the United States on a US National Wrestling Team.

Hector served in the United States Secret Service for 30 years. As a Special Agent he completed assignments in the Dallas Field Office, and on the Presidential Protective Division in Washington, DC, assigned to Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. As a Supervisory Special Agent, Hector served in multiple departments in Washington, DC. Hector was also selected as the Resident Agent in Charge of the Tulsa Resident Office and was also promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of President Barack Obama’s protection detail. He also served as the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Secret Service Training Center. Hector was promoted to the Senior Executive Service position of Special Agent in Charge of the Vice-Presidential Protection Division. He was the first Hispanic in Secret Service history to hold this distinguished position. He was then promoted to Deputy Assistant Director in the Office of Training, overseeing all protective, investigative and leadership training for the entire Secret Service.

In 2019, Hector Hernandez was awarded the HAPCOA Aguila Award, the highest National Award presented by HAPCOA at its National Law Enforcement Training Symposium, held that year in Baltimore, MD. Hector retired from the Secret Service in October 2021. Congratulations Hector!