By: Gary Davidson

Being a School Resource Deputy is unlike any other assignment in law enforcement.

First and foremost, SRDs enforce the law to help maintain a safe and orderly learning environment on middle and high school campuses around the county. But the job is so much more.

School Resource Deputies are a unique combination of law enforcement officer, teacher, counselor, friend, adviser, mediator, moderator, mentor and school volunteer all rolled into one. And during the last school year, no one did the job better than deputies Robert Freeman and Ricky Wright. The Volusia County School District recently honored the duo for their selection as the top middle school and high school SRDs of the year.

Freeman serves as SRD at Galaxy Middle School in Deltona and Wright is the SRD at DeLand High School.

"I’m very proud of both of them," said Sheriff Ben Johnson. "It takes a special kind of a deputy to be an SRD, and they are among the very best. The honor is well deserved."

In addition to traditional police work, SRDs take part in classroom education and after-school activities, field trips, athletics, academics and community service projects. They also act as positive role models by counseling and mentoring students to help guide them towards a path of success.

At Galaxy Middle School, Freeman earned praise for his caring and thoughtful approach to his job. Principal Julian Jones, who nominated the deputy for the award, said Freeman often tailors his classroom instruction to specific issues with which students and faculty are grappling. Freeman also spends time after school at the local library in order to monitor the activity of students who gather there in the afternoons. His proactive approach often heads off problems before they have a chance to boil over.

"He attends and provides a watchful eye for many of our after-school activities and always conducts himself as a gentleman and a professional," Jones said of Freeman. "Not only does he recognize his assigned role, but he actively seeks out opportunities to enrich his experience and ability to influence our students and faculty in a positive way."

At DeLand High School, Wright earned high marks for the energy and dedication he brings to his job and for the professional rapport he has developed with the community and judiciary.

"Deputy Wright effectively works with all groups within the DeLand High School organization, and his aggressive and knowledgeable approach is to be commended," said Principal Mitch Moyer. "Deputy Wright never hesitates to involve himself in matters related to his job assignment. Through his frequent parent conferences, meetings with students, classroom visits and visibility on campus, he has dedicated himself to the most populated school in our School District."