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The stuffed animal was gifted to Priscilla Sanchez when she was 10 by her older brother gifted her the stuffed toy as he prepared for deployment to Iraq.
“I held onto that puppy every night," said Sanchez, 33, adding that the puppy became a symbol of her brother's sacrifice. “I knew I wanted to follow the same path.”
This year, days before welcoming her third son, Sanchez was promoted to the Port Authority Police Department's first female captain of Hispanic heritage.
And this time, Sanchez's sons were the ones clutching Bingo.
"I want women in law enforcement to see my success as their own, as we are strongest when we support one another in our shared battles," said Capt. Sanchez. "In a male-dominated field, it often takes twice the effort for us to keep pace, but by opening doors for one another, we can create a more equitable future."
Sanchez joined PAPD in 2014 on a temporary assignment to Staten Island's three bridges. A decade later, her captain role will have her manage those same bridges by supervising daily police functions, training staff, and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies.
Capt. Sanchez was previously promoted to lieutenant in January 2023 after she was elevated to sergeant in December 2020. As a sergeant, she was the first and only female to oversee the PAPD's special services unit, coordinating the department’s ceremonies, collecting crime data, and managing executive protection details.
PAPD Chief Gloria Frank called Sanchez’s promotion "a historic milestone."
"As a champion for women in law enforcement, her leadership inspires us all and highlights our commitment to empowering individuals from every background," Chief Frank said.
Capt. Sanchez was one of four female PAPD officers to respond to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria caused destruction across the island in 2017. She also served as president of the department's Women’s Law Enforcement Association, organizing charity drives to support mothers in need and annual scholarships of $1,000 to female high school seniors hoping to be a criminal investigator.
Sanchez was also the first in her family to attend college, graduating from Kean University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
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