When Jacob Mach was 7 years old, his father was killed in South Sudan’s civil war, which ultimately left 2 million people dead. The country was chaotic and violent, with militias carrying out assaults on defenseless neighborhoods and capturing children to be soldiers.

Somehow, Mach was able to flee hundreds of miles — barefoot and scared — to Ethiopia, where he found safety in a refugee camp that harbored thousands of “Lost Boys,” as the mostly orphaned children who forced to flee the civil war were called.

More than a decade later, Mach left the camp and made his way to the US, where he started from zero — he didn’t speak English, didn't have a traditional education, and likely faced severe culture shock.

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But like so many other refugees relieved and grateful to find stability and opportunity, Mach didn’t stay stuck in the past.

His trauma acted as a spur. He learned English, graduated from college while working two low-paying jobs, and set about realizing his dream to become a cop.

Now, more than a decade after arriving in the US, and two unsuccessful attempts, he’s earned a badge in Atlanta’s police force. These days he can be found working the night shift, driving around town, and keeping citizens safe.

"It was really hard for me. But I put a lot of effort to realize that dream," Mach told told CBS News.

"Everybody wanted Jacob to succeed," Atlanta Deputy Police Chief Jeff Glazier told the outlet.

Mach’s become a proud member of the community and his story isn't unusual.

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Refugees are often spoken of in generalized terms, as if they all have the same background and represent the same potential.

In fact, refugees are as diverse in potential as the population of any country. Refugees have a range of skills, educations, and capacities.

For instance, 27% of Syrian who come to the US have an advanced degree, compared to 10% to 13% for US-born people and immigrants. Further, Syrians in the US are twice as likely as other immigrants and three times as likely as US-born citizens to own a business.

The only thing all refugees share is the desire for a better life.  

After arriving in the US, refugees like Mach begin to strive.

According to the Center for American Progress, refugees learn English, buy homes, earn solid middle-class incomes, climb career ladders, and start businesses.

In other words, they become ideal American citizens. And the many contributions they make to society show that Mach’s astounding case of perseverance is by no means unique.

A survey of refugees in Colorado found that 75% of refugees were “highly integrated” after four years and 90% worked for more than thirty hours per week.

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Mach spent his earliest years were in turmoil and uncertainty. Now he’s dedicating the rest of his life to making sure other people don’t have to go through anything resembling what he experienced.

As Mach said:

"If I can do it and work and rise to where I am right now as a police officer — doing other big things and helping the community — they can do it too.”

TopicsCitizenshipEducationpolicerefugeesSouth SudanProfileCopPolice officer

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Demand Equity

This Refugee Fled Civil War. Now He’s Promoting Peace as a Cop in Atlanta

By Joe McCarthy