Sgt. Patrick Word and Deputy Oliver Schriver with the Rockbridge County Sheriff’s Office recently graduated from D.A.R.E. Officer Training and are now officially certified D.A.R.E. Officers.
“This is a significant milestone for our Sheriff’s Office and our community,” said Sheriff Tony McFaddin. “With their certification, we now have a D.A.R.E. deputy assigned to every elementary school in Rockbridge County, ensuring that students throughout our community have access to this important program.
D.A.R.E.’s “Keepin’ it REAL” curriculum helps students develop the skills they need to make safe and responsible decisions. The program teaches young people to Refuse peer pressure, Explain their decisions, Avoid risky situations, and Leave situations that could lead to trouble. These are life skills that help children make positive choices both now and in the future, said McFaddin.
“I am extremely proud of Sergeant Word and Deputy Schriver for their commitment to the youth of our community and for completing the training necessary to become certified D.A.R.E. Officers,” said McFaddin. “I am equally proud of our current D.A.R.E. deputies, Tyler Falls and Scott Fitzgerald, who delivered the D.A.R.E. curriculum to fifth-grade students at all of our county elementary schools this past school year. Their dedication to building positive relationships with our children and teaching them how to make good decisions is making a real difference in our community.”
