‘Exceptional’ service: Forestville school resource officer wins award
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FORESTVILLE -- Nothing is more important for a school district to focus on than keeping children safe.
As it turns out, thanks to School Resource Officer Brian Hanner of the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office, no one in the state is more qualified to keep children safe than the Forestville Central School District.
Hanner was recently named the School Resource Officer of the Year by the New York Sheriff's Institute at the 2024 Annual Winter Training Conference in Albany. The award, named in honor of Sheriff Ronald Spike, was founded this past year; Hanner is the first recipient of the award.
"I am extremely honored and humbled to receive the first-ever Sheriff Ronald G. Spike Award for School Resource Officer of the Year. Learning that Sheriff Spike is highly respected and has been a mentor to our very own Sheriff, Sheriff Quattrone, makes receiving the Ronald G. Spike SRO of the Year Award that much more of an honor," Hanner said.
The School Resource Officer of the Year Award, presented by the New York State Sheriffs' Institute, recognizes a sworn school resource officer in New York State who has demonstrated exceptional valor or made a significant contribution to the advancement of education at either the elementary or high school level.
"Deputy Hanner has enhanced our district's security and exceptional personal connections with students, staff, and the community, which have been commendable," Forestville Superintendent Dr. John O'Connor said. "His dedication and commitment to fostering relationships with everyone have truly set him apart. His efforts have not only made our school safer but have also contributed significantly to the positive atmosphere within our community."
The New York State Sheriffs' Institute (NYSSI) is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1979, comprised of sheriffs across New York State. The NYSSI connects law enforcement with the community by fostering positive relationships and supporting victims of crime, along with providing the latest training and education to officers to help keep people safe.
To show their appreciation, the district recognized Hanner in January with an assembly in the Jeff Gelbein Auditorium at Forestville Middle/High School.
"I cannot thank Forestville Central School's Board of Education enough for their continued support, along with Superintendent Dr. John O'Connor and Principals Dan Grande and Shauna McMahon. I look forward to continuing to be Forestville's School Resource Officer for years to come," Hanner said.