He had planned a career in the military with a dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. But instead, Armando Chaz Mendoza was one year into a career he already loved: being a police officer.

“He was very excited about it,” close friend Neil Baptiste told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It wasn’t on his journey initially, but that’s where God led him to be in the long run.”

The 22-year-old Mendoza eagerly served, with hopes of advancing through the ranks of the Clayton County Police Department. And he wanted to travel and had started planning a future with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Knowles, though the two were in no rush.

But on Monday, Mendoza’s patrol car was struck by a vehicle that investigators believe failed to yield on Tara Boulevard. He was in uniform and on his way to a part-time job at the time of the crash.

His injuries were too severe. Mendoza died at a hospital.

Knowles was surprised when two police captains showed up at her job to tell her the news.

“Initially I couldn’t believe it,” Knowles said. “I lost it, really. Screaming, kicking, I kept asking if it was real. No one would ever expect for Armando to be gone so soon.”

The two met about four years ago when both attended Georgia Military College. But after a couple of years as friends, they realized they had stronger feelings for each other, Knowles said. The two dated for nearly two years and had talked about their future together.

Our hearts are broken by this horrible car accident in Clayton County. We are praying for the heroic officer’s family and friends and are grateful for his service to our state.

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) April 20, 2021

“The way Armando impacted me, the way he treated me, and the way we treated each other, it was true love,” Knowles said. “I know in my heart he was the one.”

Officer Aubriel Stroud, a spokeswoman for Clayton police, said the death of the young officer was devastating for his law enforcement family. Gov. Brian Kemp also offered his condolences, calling Mendoza a heroic officer, and numerous other police agencies honored him.

On Wednesday, Clayton Commissioner Felicia Franklin released a statement.

“Armando Mendoza was not just an officer,” Franklin said. “This amazingly kind-hearted 22-year-old young man was the epitome of a gentleman who loved his family and friends immensely. Officer Mendoza and his family were always there to serve our community. Please keep this family and our entire community in fervent prayer.”

Credit: Family photo

Credit: Family photo

It was while helping his mother with a catering job that Mendoza had the chance to meet others in law enforcement, including Clayton Sheriff Victor Hill, his friends said. Last May, he joined the police department. Attending the police academy confirmed for Mendoza he had made the right choice, and his parents were supportive.

“They supported him with every decision he made because they knew whatever God put him on, it was going to be the right path,” Baptiste said.

Though he was an only child, Mendoza’s two closest friends considered themselves his brothers.

Baptiste and Mendoza both attended Sandy Creek High School in Fayette County, where the two rode the same bus and played on the baseball team. When Baptiste once fell asleep on the bus, it was Mendoza who woke him up.

“Hey bro, this is your stop,” Baptiste remembered Mendoza saying.

As baseball teammates, Baptiste offered Mendoza a ride home one day. The two had been friends since.

Caelan Filmore met Mendoza in college and said his new friend helped bring him “out of his shell.”

“He really changed the ways I viewed a lot of different things,” Filmore said. “He made me a better person.”

Today, GBI employees lined up outside of our Crime Lab to view the police escort for Clayton County P.D. Officer Armando Mendoza who died in a traffic accident in the line of duty. From our family to yours, thank you for your service & may you rest in peace. @ClaytonCountyPD

— GA Bureau of Investigation (@GBI_GA) April 20, 2021

Mendoza was the guy others wanted to be around, his friends said. He never hung up the phone without telling those he cared about that he loved them.

“He saw the good in every person he met,” Baptiste said. “He cherished every single life that he had the chance to meet.”

It’s hard for Mendoza’s friends to imagine life without him, but they have found some comfort in knowing how many people he impacted.

“Armando was one of a kind,” Knowles said. “There’s no other person like Armando. We know that his legacy will always live on.”

The viewing for Mendoza will be held Sunday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Willie Watkins Funeral Home in Jonesboro. The funeral service will be Monday at Light of Joy Church in Riverdale. In addition to his friends, he is survived by his parents, Robert and Bianca Mendoza, and his grandmother.