The National Association of School Resource Officers, or NASRO, gave its Floyd Ledbetter National School Resource Officer of the Year award to a North Carolina police officer July 7.
Cpl. Shane Woodall of the Rockingham Sheriff’s Department in Wentworth, N.C., won the award as part of its 25th anniversary NASRO School Safety Conference.
Woodall serves as a school resource officer, or SRO, at Dalton L. McMichael High School in Mayodan, N.C. The annual award recognizes an SRO who has made specific and significant contributions to the officer’s local town, city, county and/or school district.
Woodall has organized numerous programs to educate students and he has also helped raise thousands of dollars for local charities. He sponsors his school’s Students against Destructive Decisions chapter and creates innovative approaches to help students understand the dangers of drinking and driving.
Woodall has also supported McMichael students who have special needs by raising money to cover prom expenses for these students, who he personally escorts to the prom. He has organized charitable events to help families pay the funeral costs of students who died and has also led programs to raise money for charities dedicated to thoracic insufficiency syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
NASRO also gave its National Award of Valor to three SROs in recognition of their specific acts of courage and valor. Award winners include:
- Constable Stacy Miskolczi of the Edmonton Police Service in Alberta, Canada. On November 4, 2014, Miskolczi reacted quickly and deliberately in responding to a school staff member in need. Her actions were credited with saving the life of a staff member at L.Y. Cairns High School.
- Andrew Lepkowski of the Crow Creek Agency, Ft. Thompson in S.D. On October 30, 2013, Lepkowski heroically aided in the pursuit of an individual armed with a deadly weapon. His actions were credited with saving the lives of students and staff members of the Crow Creek Tribal Schools.
- James Kiely of the Milford Police Department in Milford, Conn. On April 25, 2014, Kiely performed decisively and valiantly in the face of danger when he pursued and confronted a dangerous individual who was armed with a deadly weapon. His actions have been credited with saving the lives of students and staff members of the Jonathan Law High School.
NASRO presented its annual awards during a luncheon ceremony at its 25th anniversary national conference in Orlando.
