Tim O'Brien

Photos by Amelia Kunhardt

Police officer, Norwell

Tell us about yourself.

"My philosophy is 'life moves pretty fast, if you don't stop and look around, you may miss it. Stop every once in a while and appreciate all you have.'"

"I don't consider myself a hero."

"The key to my happiness is family and friends."

THE SKINNY

RANK: Patrolman

AGE: 40

BIO: O'Brien grew up in Hyde Park and is a 1987 graduate of Boston College High School. He worked in the mortgage banking industry before becoming a police officer. He was hired by the Norwell Police Department in 2001 as a patrolman. Since then, he has worked with the mountain bike patrol unit and has been the department's prosecutor, its elder affairs officer and its domestic violence officer. He is vice president of the Norwell Police Association. O'Brien has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Curry College. He lives on the South Shore with his wife, Kimberly, and children Maggie, 10, Tim Jr., 9, Owen, 7, and Kelsey, 5.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? "I always wanted to be a police officer. It is a very noble profession."

What would you have been if not a police officer? "I would have tried to go to law school to be a lawyer."

Best advice you ever got? "Go with your first instinct. It's probably the right one."

Person who gave it to you? "My dad."

What do you do in your spare time? "I spend a majority of my time with my wife and kids, either going to the beach or attending sporting events."