Rutherford, TN - In honor of National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day on February 15th, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office extended its gratitude to the dedicated School Resource Officers (SROs) who play a vital role in ensuring the safety and well-being of students, teachers, and administrators in our schools.
Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh expressed his appreciation for the commitment and impact of SROs, highlighting their primary goal of maintaining a safe environment for students to learn and thrive. He emphasized the multifaceted contributions of SROs, which included fostering positive relationships with students, providing mentorship and counseling, and educating the school community on safety issues.
SROs were integral to our mission, serving as law enforcement officers to protect students, teachers, and administrators while also fulfilling roles as mentors and educators, Sheriff Fitzhugh remarked. Their dedication to safeguarding Rutherford County children and families was commendable.
In addition to their law enforcement responsibilities, SROs actively engaged with students and the school community through various activities and initiatives. These included coaching sports teams, supporting school events, organizing special events such as the Special Needs Kids Fun Fair, and facilitating shopping trips for students in need of school supplies and clothing.
As the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office commemorated the 30th anniversary of SROs, it reflected on its pioneering role in introducing SRO programs to schools in Tennessee. Since 1993, the Sheriff’s Office had recognized the importance of SROs in enhancing school safety and had continually expanded their presence, particularly following the tragic events of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.
The County Commission's funding of SROs in every school since the 2013 academic year underscored the ongoing commitment to prioritizing student safety. Today, SROs remained steadfast in their dedication to protecting students, teachers, and administrators on a daily basis.
On National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day, the community recognized and appreciated the invaluable contributions of SROs in safeguarding our schools and nurturing a safe learning environment for our children.
In the image on the left is SRO Kenny Smith, who was checking on the doors during a safety drill at Eagleville. In the image on the right is SRO LeighAnn Ruggles, who is teaching a class at La Vergne Lake.
