KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — It's been one year since Judge Hector Sanchez was sworn in as Knox County Criminal Court judge. A title that led him to become the first Hispanic trial court judge in Tennessee.
For Sanchez, each day at work and sitting on the bench comes with the responsibility of serving and honoring the people of Knox County.
"You need to serve to honor the position," Sanchez said. "In the oath, you promised to do your job to the best of your skill and ability."
In his first year as a criminal court judge, he said the role comes down to one main principle, getting it right.
"One of the biggest lessons I've learned is to never be afraid to ask for advice, ask for help, ultimately, to make sure that you're doing the right thing," he said.
As a Marine Corps veteran, he learned the value of public service early in his life. He served a tour in Afghanistan in 2008.
"For me, what kind of molded me and all the opportunities for me was the United States Marine Corps," Sanchez said.
Sanchez's road to success did not come easy. It came with a battle of beating the odds and overcoming becoming another statistic.
"My background consists of growing up in public housing and being on government assistance for a period of my life," he said.
Sanchez was raised by a single mother who taught him the value and importance of education. This foundation set the foundation for where Sanchez would land one day.
"Her kind of motto was, despite our circumstances, you're going to do the right thing when no one's looking," Sanchez said. "You're going to have integrity."
His journey to the bench now serves as a testimony for others like him.
"If I can do this, I'm an example that it can be done," he said.