ENGLEWOOD, Ohio (WDTN) – When Monday’s school shooting took place at Madison Junior\Senior High School, the school’s resource officer acted fast.
Deputies say it took Officer Kent Hall nine seconds to respond after shots were fired. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said that quick response probably prevented more tragedy. Four students were injured in that shooting, all with non-life threatening injuries.
2 NEWS is learning more about the role of school resource officers by spending time with one at another local district.
Northmont High School’s resource officer, Jack Daugherty won the SRO (school resource officer) award of the year in 2015. At one point, he even retired, but decided to come back and protect the students he considers family.
When the bell at Northmont rings, students flood the halls. Before heading to class most will stop for a quick high-five or to say hello to Officer Jack.
“I like the kids, I love them. I get to see them come in as a freshmen and 4 or 5 years after I get to see where their lives are going,” said Officer Jack.
He’s worked for the Clayton Police Department for 29 years, 9 of those being at the school. To become an SRO, Officer Jack had to put in 80 hours of training. Over the years those skills are refreshed through even more training. He wears a bullet proof vest and is armed with a gun, protecting around 1,500 students five days a week.
“It’s my job to protect them. We are sworn police officers and that’s our job to be a police officer first,” explained Officer Jack.
When the news broke about Monday’s school shooting in Madison Township, Jack says he was glued to the television, watching in awe.
“It’s heartbreaking, especially because it’s so close,” said Officer Jack.
Jack isn’t just there for security. For many students like Nick Moore he’s their go to.
“I love Officer Jack. He’s one of those guys that if you have a problem with anything you can just talk to him. He’s very personable,” said Nick Moore, a high school senior.
“It’s important to feel close to the person that is there to protect you. You feel more comfortable with him, he makes himself available and I can always go to him its definitely important,” said Naomi Baker, a high school senior.
“I get up every day and I want to come to work. Now, I’m to the point where I see them they’re getting married. I get invitations to weddings. I see pictures of their kids, it’s neat,” said Officer Jack.
Every year, Jack attends a non-mandatory 3-day conference to keep up with new safety tactics.
The district stays proactive, meeting with law enforcement once a month to go over safety procedures.