Gibson Co. Sheriff surprises SRO’s on appreciation day
FORT BRANCH, Ind. (WFIE) - February 15 marks National School Resource Officer Appreciation Day.
One of Gibson County Sheriff Bruce Vanoven’s first priorities after taking office was to put a full-time school resource officer in each South and East Gibson school building. He was able to do that.
Thursday, Vanoven surprised his seven SRO’s with an engraved computer bag.
“It’s always nice to be surprised,” Vanoven said. “That’s how you let people know that you love them. A surprise is always a good thing.”
Dan Lienemann is the SRO at Gibson Southern High School. He says between a staff lunch and his new bag, he was pretty surprised.
“Our superintendent was just here, now the sheriff is here, what is going on,” Lienemann said. “It is pretty cool, but every day is exciting for us. This is the best job in the world.”
First and foremost, Lienemann and all SRO’s are tasked with protecting the students and staff, but his responsibilities go beyond that.
“Being a school resource officer is a lot different than being on the road,” Lienemann said. “You’re there for all the bad things. These kids here get to see us in a different light. We’re the human behind the badge.”
He cherishes the relationships he’s formed from teaching classes on drug awareness and driving, while also taking the time to serve lunch and play basketball. His grandchildren are also students in the district, allowing him to spend time with them.
“Some days I feel like I need to be paying them,” he said.
Vanoven knows a bit about that. He spent time as an SRO at Fort Branch Community School earlier in his career, and cherishes those memories.
He says being an SRO means letting sworn officers go back to school.
“You’ve got to love this school,” Vanoven said about Fort Branch Community School. “It’s always high fives, and on nice days it’s kickball.”
It also allows them to build lasting relationships with kids from kindergarten all the way to graduation.
Thursday morning on our digital news desk, we spoke with Princeton Community Schools SRO Jason Cullum.
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