San Diego PD sergeant talks about also working as a dolphin trainer at SeaWorld

SAN DIEGO (NBC, KYMA) - He's a popular trainer at SeaWorld San Diego as Andre Thomas loves working with dolphins and entertaining the crowd.

However, Thomas can't decide whether working to serve and protect with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) or working with dolphins is his favorite job.

They are some of SeaWorld's biggest stars and Thomas may be their best friend.

"It's doing what I love and it's just being natural and being genuine," Thomas expressed.

The Fresno native has been a trainer with dolphins and orcas at SeaWorld for 17 years, and Thomas got the bug from his aunts.

"Two of my biggest role models in my life wanted to do it. So, I said, 'You know what? So do I," Thomas shared.

Yet, these dolphins, and these guests may never guess the other place Thomas spends his days.

"These two career paths that I've chosen are not...they don't really coincide with each other on your typical day to day basis," Thomas remarked.

The dolphin trainer is also a sergeant with SDPD.

A few years after he started training dolphins, Sgt. Thomas' brother was murdered in Fresno, and he felt the pull to serve.

"What can I do to help prevent this from happening to somebody else?" Thomas spoke.

Thomas joined the academy where fellow cadets quickly learned he had another day job.

"I got teased a little bit. I got a couple nicknames out there. Shamu was the one that I got called the most," Thomas explained.

Thomas has worked patrol, SWAT, and trained other recruits. Now, he does media relations for the department.

"I love being here, putting on a uniform, putting on a badge," Thomas remarked.

He knows it's an interesting life. "Sgt. Andre Thomas, dolphin trainer" has a custom wetsuit to cover his bases.

"In a car chase or in a foot chase and fighting someone, and the next day, I'm here doing shows...for 3,500 people," he said.

He gets the best of both worlds, protecting and serving in uniform and working with his closest friends on his days off.

"This is my vice. This is my getaway," Thomas declared.