Junior Edwin Ochoa became the seventh recipient of a Crime Buster certificate this year.

“This (Crime Buster certificate) is awarded by the chief of police to a person who has assisted the SMU police department in solving or preventing a crime or by an event that is considered being a good citizen,” said SMU Police Chief Richard Shafer.

Simply put, Ochoa felt he was simply doing the right thing on July 9, when he discovered a large amount of cash and turned it over to SMU police.

While Ochoa was in the restroom on the third floor of Hughes-Trigg, he found an envelope containing $3,000 in cash. Ochoa carried the envelope downstairs toward the Mane Desk where it was given to a police officer. According to Shafer, the money belonged to a contractor who had been frantically searching for it.

Days later, Ochoa was presented with the Crime Buster certificate after an AARO debriefing session on July 12. Along with the certificate, Ochoa is expected to receive an award from the contractor.

“Sometimes honesty is the best policy,” Ochoa said. “Despite what’s happening in the world, there are still people who look to their morals, principles and conscience when these things happen.”