Cetkovic For Lukas Cetkovic, a senior at Orchard Park High School, working as a police officer isn’t just a job.

It’s something he’s wanted to do all his life.

“They’re there to serve and protect,” said Cetkovic, “and I feel this is a good opportunity to use the skills I’ve been given.”

Attending classes in the criminal justice program at the Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Board of Cooperative Educational Services Ormsby Educational Center, located in East Aurora, has been a natural fit for Cetkovic.

In November, BOCES administrators chose Cetkovic for Student of the Month. He received the title once before. Last year he was also voted Student of the Month, that time in January, in part for his high grade point average. The honor is presented monthly to a junior and senior at the Ormsby Center and is based on attendance, grades, class performance and teacher recommendations.

“It’s nice to be honored and recognized for all that effort,” he said.

Cetkovic began attending criminal justice classes his junior year, going to the center every day from period five until the day’s end. This year, the schedule’s flipped, and he attends classes during periods one through four, for about half the school day.

“These classes really give you an insider look at the stuff normal citizens wouldn’t get to see,” he said, “all the different parts of the law and the duties of law enforcement officers.”

By the time Cetkovic finishes the two-year program, he’ll have earned 12 credits toward his bachelor’s degree. But, more importantly, the program affirmed that this is something he really wants to spend the rest of his life doing.

And one of the best parts? The program’s free. In May, he will complete an internship to gain experience in the field.

In Cetkovic’s spare time, he enjoys hunting and fishing in Zoar Valley, where he describes the scenery as “just amazing.” This year so far, he got a female deer and a pheasant, and he’s looking forward to the arrival of the spring turkey season.

At the high school, he’s a varsity wrestler, a sport he started competing in when he was in the eighth grade. He volunteers with a youth wrestling club with the town, through which he helps with tournaments and sometimes coaches. He enjoys staying fit, something that’s important in law enforcement, he says.

In the fall, Cetkovic will attend Hilbert College in Hamburg, where he’ll pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

One day he’d like to work as a conservation police officer.

In this position, he’d enforce environmental laws such as hunting and fishing regulations. “I feel this is protecting my passion [for the outdoors],” he said, “while using the skills I have. I don’t know if I could work in a cubicle or at a desk. With this, I can be outside — and still enforcing.”

Cetkovic lives in Orchard Park with his parents, Theresa and Michael, and has an older brother, Nikolas.

(Story ideas for this feature can be sent to Orchard Park Bee Editor Naomi Spencer, Bee Publications, 5564 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14221-5410, or call 204-4902.)