Actor Erik Estrada became a household name after starring as Officer Frank “Ponch” Poncharello in the 1970’s TV series, CHiPs. Nearly forty years later, Estrada has been sworn in as a reserve police officer in St. Anthony, Idaho, according to Estrada’s official Twitter account. Although he spent six seasons riding alongside Officer Jon Baker (Larry Wilcox) on the show, he has a new partner now in Idaho.
“An honor for me and my partner daryl Williams, we now serve the saint Anthony police dept,” he Tweeted. “Proudly,” he added.
The 67-year-old also works as a spokesperson for the Safe Surfin’ Foundation an Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces around the country to protect children from the sexual predators who prowl the Internet looking for their next victim. Task Forces are located throughout the United States and stand ready to offer assistance to the law enforcement community, and to the citizens they are sworn to protect.
On July 2nd, Estrada shared a photo of himself and his motorcycle that’ll make any fan of the original series nostalgic.
“OK fnf’s I’m now a police officer with the ST ANTHONY POLICE DEPT,” he said.
Estrada never gave up acting since starring on the cop drama. He’s made appearances in King of the Hill, Walker, Texas Ranger, Family Guy, Popular, Van Wilder, My Name is Earl, and Sangre Negra.
