Anthony Burgos was sworn in as an officer of the Fair Lawn Police Department Tuesday, alongside his wife, Patricia, and their 6-year-old daughter, Adrianna.

Burgos, 34, was born in Peru and moved to the United States at age 10, settling in Paterson.

After high school, his passion for a career in law enforcement led him to Passaic County Community College, where he studied Criminal Justice. Out of college, Burgos went on to spend two-and-a-half years as an officer in his adopted hometown of Paterson, where he said he gained valuable experience working shootings, homicides and narcotics in some of the city's roughest areas.

Burgos, who is bilingual, was laid off from the Paterson Police Department in April 2011, and said that while looking for his next job he's played a stay-at-home dad role, easing his young daughter's transition to kindergarten.

His wife is expecting their second child in early 2013.

In his free time, Burgos said he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling. Florida is his favorite vacation destination, but he'd also like to return to Peru, where he hasn't been since the birth of his daughter.

Burgos' hire brings the Fair Lawn Police Department back up to 55 officers.

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