A classical violinist dedicated to community service decided to become a police officer to continue helping the community.

Prince George’s County Police Officer Alexander Strachan has played the violin for 20 years, often using his musical talent to benefit the community.

Strachan often plays at senior homes and for terminally ill children and adults in hospice care, including his grandmother with Alzheimer’s.

“It was almost like she was almost a kid again. It was almost like the fog of Alzheimer’s lifted and she was able to see again,” Strachan told CBS News.

“To have the honor to be able to play for someone as they are taking their final moments here on Earth, it’s just profound,” Strachan said of his work.

Strachan, who graduated from the police academy in March 2021 and was sworn in shortly after, hopes to continue to benefit the community as a police officer while incorporating his musical talents.

“You can make a profound difference in someone’s life because they are going through something difficult,” he said of his goals as an officer.

Even as an officer, Strachan continues to play violin for the community – in uniform. A Twitter post from the department back in May showed Strachan playing for residents at the Brightview Senior Living facility in Annapolis to honor U.S. Army veterans.

“I played for veterans to honor their service,” Strachan said. “It felt like home because music is inviting and soothing. It’s the first time I have been able to play since the pandemic.”

Strachan said that being a police officer is in many ways similar to being a musician. Both careers have unpredictable days on the job.

“In some ways, it is similar to life as a musician, because I’m going into places where I’m not sure what’s going to happen, how people are going to react, but it is an adventure,” he said.

The rookie officer also hopes that his musical talents can help humanize officers to the public.

“I think it shows that I’m human too,” Strachan said. “I have hobbies, passions outside of police work. Cops are so talented. People don’t see that.”