Remembering Jhonas Hernandez

Jhonas Hernandez, Trinity University Police Department (TUPD) communications supervisor, died on Jan. 26, 2022, from COVID-19. He was 50 years old.

Hernandez served with the Trinity University Police Department with honor and integrity for nearly 16 years. During his time with TUPD, Jhonas received numerous awards and recognition for his service.    

Hernandez was a quiet, reserved man who always lent a listening ear to others and always offered candy to sweeten the conversation. As a young man, Jhonas loved astronomy and always wanted to be a NASA Flight Controller. He attended Colorado University after earning a full math scholarship. 

However, he had a calling to join the military. He enlisted in the Army, where he served in Desert Storm during the Gulf War. During his four year career, he earned 82nd Airborne then Army Ranger, thus ultimately earning Staff Sergeant status in the Special Forces. He left the Army in 1994, where he became a free man and began to enjoy his young life as a civilian. 

He played drums for a cover band on 6th street on Fridays and Saturdays from 1995-97 at Maggie Mays in Austin. Then he traveled the world. He lived in San Francisco, Guam, Bali, Thailand, South Korea and traveled all over Asia. In 2000, he met his wife in San Francisco City College, where he was studying criminal justice while working at the San Francisco Airport as TSA Security for Homeland Security. He went on to marry his wife in 2004 and moved back to Texas to create a life with their daughter. 

Here in Texas he found two homes; one with his wife and daughter and one at Trinity University in 2006. He was employed there for almost 16 years, wearing many hats from security guard, to traffic control, to dispatcher, then communications supervisor. He loved giving his wife and daughter hugs and kisses. He loved metal bands and listening to classic rock. A pastime of his was sharing his love for the 49’ers, especially sharing his fandom for them with his Dallas Cowboys friends. He always dreamt of being the best father that Jesus allowed him to be. Jhonas was a man who felt that nobody could understand, but unconditionally loved anyone he was around. He was very proud to have served his country and loved being a true American patriot. 

Jhonas is survived by his wife, Soo, and daughter, Mynji. A GoFundMe account has been set up to assist with funeral and medical expenses for the Hernandez family.