A Harlan County deputy has been named Kentucky’s School Resource Officer of the Year. Deputy Josh Sargent, who serves at Wallins Elementary School, received the award from the Kentucky Association of School Resource Officers at its annual conference.

Award Recognition

Sargent learned he had won while on vacation when he was shown a video of his kindergarten students at Wallins Elementary congratulating him. He has served as a school resource officer at Wallins Elementary for four years and is known for his passion for the role, which is rooted in his own upbringing as an at-risk youth.

Sargent serves as a DARE officer and runs multiple programs at the school, including the Junior Deputy Program, a kindness incentive program, and coaches several sports. He is also known for appearing in school TikToks and sharing secret handshakes with students.

Harlan County Sheriff Chris Brewer said the recognition is well-earned. “It’s just a blessing to have him as one of our deputies,” Brewer said. Sargent says the job goes far beyond security, as he is a role model, mentor, counselor, and provides security and safety for the students.

Original reporting: WTVQ (Lexington) — read the source article.