Making sure that 850 special needs students attend the Lone Star Rodeo earned Sgt. Bill West honors as Officer of the Month in March from Ford of Murfreesboro.

Sgt. West, who was one of the original school resource officers 20 years ago, recognized special needs students are unable to attend field trips and special events like most students, said Sheriff Robert Arnold.

“He committed his heart to dedicate an event just for the special needs students,” Sheriff Arnold said.

Sgt. West was instrumental in starting the Special Needs Rodeo solely for special needs students eight years ago and coordinating the event every consecutive year in March.

Owner David Lee of Ford of Murfreesboro recognized Sgt. West’s dedication and commitment by presenting him an engraved watch.

Lee said: Ford of Murfreesboro would like to recognize Sgt. Bill West for his hard work & dedication to provide special needs students with a rodeo just for them. The rodeo provides these students with clean entertainment and fun.

Sheriff Arnold said Sgt. West volunteered to organize the event for the last eight years. The coordination includes arranging the rodeo company, securing the venue, asking for donations, arranging for transportation for students all over the county, soliciting the help of more than 100 volunteers and assigning duties, coordinating more than 1,000 lunches, developing games and activities for the children, ordering giveaways, arranging for a photographer to take class phones and overseeing SRO manpower.

“Because of Sgt. West’s dedication, these children were able to enjoy the rodeo for the past eight years,” Sheriff Arnold said. “Watching the children’s excitement is the only payment he needs.”