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State recognizes Statesville High resource officer

Regan Hill photo

Statesville High School Principal Larry Rogers (left) presents school resource officer David Johnson with the N.C. Juvenile Officer of the Year award Friday at the school.

By Donna Swicegood | Statesville R&L

Published: October 10, 2009

Students at Statesville High School were revved up Friday afternoon for the school's homecoming game.

Prior to the start of the pep rally, the students, faculty and staff at SHS were given one more reason to cheer.

The school resource officer, David Johnson of the Statesville Police Department, was recognized as the N.C. Juvenile Officer of the Year for 2009.

The award came from the N.C. Juvenile Officers Association.

It is named in honor of L.T. Williams, the first vice-president of the organization when it was formed in 1974. Williams was an officer with the Raleigh Police Department.

Johnson was selected for the honor by the association's nominating committee.

Some of the criteria for the award include exhibiting outstanding abilities in the performance of his or her duties as well as participation in civic and community events.

SHS principal Larry Rogers said that describes Johnson perfectly.

"He's more than just a police officer," Rogers said of the school's first and only SRO. "He builds relationships with these kids and he realizes arrest is not always the answer."

Rogers said Johnson is more of a preventive officer in that his rapport with the students often results in problems being alleviated before they become bigger issues.

"He's always willing to go the extra mile for the students and the staff," he said.

Rogers said Johnson, who is known as O.J., is active in all phases of the school, and not just during the school day.

Johnson is a familiar presence at after-school events, from ball games to dances, Rogers said.
Johnson was surprised by the honor, which was presented in front of the student body prior to the start of the homecoming pep rally.

"Thank you," Johnson said as he received the award.