Everyone has a bad day once in a while, including kids. Life isn’t all fun and games, especially in a world full of bullying, social media and all sorts of negative influences.
Maybe that pop quiz netted a bad grade or a seat wasn’t open with friends at the lunch table. Throw in some raging hormones and school can be rough for kids sometimes.
When an Oklahoma school resource officer noticed a boy down in the dumps at school, he paused to see what was wrong instead of walking on by. Many kids aren’t interested in sharing their personal saga and struggles, but this perceptive Cleveland County Sheriff’s officer knew the student was struggling that day and needed someone to lean on.
Instead of ignoring the boy and dismissing his feelings during a busy day of keeping the school and students safe, Officer Kenny Madden decided to do something special to cheer up the boy.
When time was creeping closer to the lunch break at Moore Public Schools, Officer Madden decided to cheer up the kid who seemed to need a bit more attention.
So the officer headed out and grabbed Chick-fil-A to share with the downtrodden boy.
Sometimes dining together will draw out enough small talk between bites of food that a person can discover what has someone in a funk. That’s what Officer Madden hoped would happen when he shared chicken and waffle fries with the student.
A school official at Moore Public Schools spied Officer Madden and the student enjoying the meal together, and likely some advice from the mentor to the student, and snapped a photo that went viral on Facebook.
“Another example of how our SROs go above and beyond for our students.”
SROs have such an important job, one that not everyone completely understands.
They have the opportunity to be a huge influence on students’ lives, just like the moment that was captured in the picture of Officer Madden and the student.
SROs first and foremost are law enforcement officers and the school is his or her patrol. The officer is charged with maintaining a safe and secure environment free of drugs, weapons, alcohol and bullying.
They are also law-related counselors and become positive role models for the students. They’re law-related educators who can give advice to school administrators.
But ultimately, they are someone who can rescue a child in need of help, give a warm hug or lift a student up with a simple positive and supportive word.
Jenny Nguyen shared on Facebook what a blessing Officer Madden was being to the student. Even fellow officers commended the SRO for what he did in the Facebook thread.
In Santa Rose, Calif., a teacher spied another SRO going above and beyond typical duties to help out a student in an atypical way. The middle school girl, who is in a class for students with moderate to severe disabilities, clutched a Kermit the Frog stuffed animal and lingered by the door, obviously distraught at having to come inside from the outdoors.
SRO Chris Morrison decided to sing to her, ultimately soothing her and diffusing the situation. The song was perfect. It was Kermit’s 1997 song “Rainbow Connection.”
Their exchange was plastered all over the national news for how amazing SRO Morrison was during the student’s obvious time of need. Aren’t these officers incredible?
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