To transition careers from Van Dusen Beverages to the Astoria Police Department, Jair Macareno literally just had to cross the street.

But to prepare for the career he says he’s wanted to pursue since high school, the road to becoming the newest Astoria Police officer is a little bit longer.

Macareno, 22, an Astoria High School graduate, is gearing up to attend the Police Academy in Salem next month. Until then, he’s riding along with other officers and doing work at the department to prepare himself for the school. He was sworn in at the Astoria City Council meeting last month.

His parents and fiancée, Tayla McGinnis, were at his side, as he thanked them for their love and support.

“During high school I kind of thought it would be fun to be a police officer. And in college, I started to take criminal justice classes, and that really got me interested,” Macareno said.

A ride along with a Clatsop County Sheriff’s deputy a short while later sealed the deal on his desire to apply.

“That did it in for me, so I applied to Astoria,” he said.

Macareno moved to Astoria from Chicago when he was “really young,” he said. “But Astoria is really all I have ever known.”

He played soccer at Astoria High School, and later at Chimeketa Community College. He has two classes left before earning his degree in criminal justice.

He’s worked at Van Dusen Beverages for the last five years. Working next door to the police department, he says he looked over at the department every once and a while, hoping one day he would get the job.

“I never really talked to anyone over there until A.J. (Duryea) got over there,” he said. “But before that, I knew I wanted to apply to be a police officer. I really didn’t think I would get it this young. But I am definitely glad I did.”

He turned 22 earlier this month. His wedding to McGinnis is scheduled for Sept. 13.

This story originally appeared in Daily Astorian.