Walking through the halls of Branford High School, you’ve likely seen a familiar face keeping an eye on the parent drop-off line or checking the perimeter – security guard Bobby Ortiz.

He’s been a staple of the BHS community since December 2022, but his journey to the high school hallways started long before he arrived in Branford.

Before joining the district faculty, Ortiz spent 25 years serving on the New Haven Fire Department.

When he retired, he said he wasn’t looking to go on the beach or stay at home all day, rather he was looking for a way to stay involved in public service.

The bridge to BHS came through a former colleague: “I worked with Dave Vargas at the New Haven Fire Department and spoke with him about his ventures,” Ortiz explained.

“He told me he worked here [at BHS] and that he enjoyed working with young adults,” Ortiz said. “He asked me to apply for a position, and here I am.”

Ortiz’s day starts early, ensuring the parent drop-off runs smoothly.

“I then go around the building making sure all the doors are [locked.] I, then, check the parking lots for suspicious activity. After all that, I enter the building and begin walking the halls,” he noted.

Ortiz’s main job is safety; however, if you ask him what he actually enjoys most, it isn’t the tactical side of the job—it’s the people.

“I like to see how the students go from immature freshmen and gradually mature to young men and women,” Ortiz said.

For Bobby, the most rewarding part of the day is the interaction with the student body. He noted he views his role not just as a guard, but as a mentor. Having spent over two decades as a first responder, he frequently talks to students about pursuing their own careers in public service.

Whether he’s securing the back door or greeting you in the morning, Bobby is a reminder that the people keeping BHS safe are also the ones cheering for the students’ success.

After three years on the job, he has become much more than a security guard—he’s a peer who transitioned from saving lives in the city to shaping lives in a school.