Natural Bridge Elementary School has a full-time school resource officer once again.
The Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office has officially hired and assigned a permanent SRO for the school, Deputy Patrick Word, according to Sheriff Tony McFaddin.
During the 2024–2025 school year, other school resource deputies from the sheriff’s office had been rotating in to provide coverage at Natural Bridge Elementary for a few hours each day while the school was without a permanent SRO.
“While this ensured basic safety and support, the appointment of a full-time, dedicated deputy marks a major step forward in school-based community policing,” said McFaddin.
All county schools now have a permanent school resource officer assigned to them.
Deputy Word brings with him 25 years of diverse law enforcement experience, having served in multiple public safety roles across the region.
His career includes prior service with the Virginia Department of Corrections, the Rockbridge Regional Jail, the Lynchburg Adult Detention Center, the Buena Vista Sheriff’s Office, and the Buena Vista Police Department. He has also previously served with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office.
“For me, this role is about being a positive role model for the students — being the deputy they can trust,” Word said about his new job as SRO at NBES. “I want to be visible, approachable, and involved. Whether it’s interacting with students day to day, mentoring, attending school functions, or just being present in the hallways, my goal is to build strong and trusted relationships with the students, the faculty, the school division, and the community, while also upholding the law and keeping our schools safe.”
Dr. Phillip Thompson, division superintendent, said, “We are pleased to welcome Deputy Word to Natural Bridge Elementary School for the 2025–2026 school year. This important addition reflects our strong partnership with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office and our shared commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and caring environment for all students and staff. A school resource deputy not only strengthens school safety, but also fosters meaningful connections between our students and local law enforcement.”
