Ernest Ward’s Ronnie Gill Named Florida SRO Of The Year; Escambia SRO Unit Also Honored

July 19, 2016

Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill, school resource officer at Ernest Ward Middle School, has been name the top SRO in Florida, and the Escambia County’s SRO Unit has been named the best in the state.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida Association of School Resource Officers Monday named Gill the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year.  Gill is a 14-year veteran of the office.

For a video featuring Gill, click here.

“Deputy Gill goes above and beyond to not only ensure the safety of students at the school he serves, but to also provide guidance to the youth in his community,” said Bondi. “Resource officers play a vital role in the lives of students on a daily basis, and I am honored to name Deputy Gill the 2016 School Resource Officer of the Year.”

Attorney General Bondi and FASRO present the School Resource Officer of the Year award annually to a Florida officer who demonstrates dedication and tireless work ethic to enhance the lives of the students they serve.

The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office SRO unit was honored as the “Unit of the Year” by Bondi and the FASRO.

The awards were presented Monday at a Sheriff’s Youth Camp in Naples, FL.

In 1985, the Attorney General’s Office developed the first 40-hour Basic Training Course adopted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to train school resource officers with the basic knowledge and skills necessary to implement crime prevention programming in a school setting. Together, the Attorney General’s Office, the Florida Association of School Resource Officers, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Florida Department of Education jointly provided a number of trainings throughout the years to develop effective prevention programs and strategies for students and campuses. Each year, applications for the School Resource Officer of the Year are submitted to the Attorney General’s Office for review.

Pictured top: Senior Deputy Ronnie Gill (center) from Ernest Ward Middle School was named the School Resource Officer of the Year by Attorney General Pam Bondi. Pictured inset: Gill’s award and certificate. Pictured below: The Escambia County SRO Unit was named “Unit of the Year” in Florida. Pictured second below: Gill and his children, Tyler and Haley. Pictured third down: Gill and his granddaughter. Pictured fourth down: Gill at a youth camp. Pictured bottom: Gill at this year’s youth camp. Photos for NorthEscambia.co, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Ernest Ward’s Ronnie Gill Named Florida SRO Of The Year; Escambia SRO Unit Also Honored”

  1. Jcellops on July 20th, 2016 2:50 am

    Thank you Officer Gill- and, big “Congratulations!” on a difficult job very well done!

  2. Facetious Bob on July 19th, 2016 9:48 pm

    Do any readers realize what this honor involves. He has been recognized as the best in the entire state of Florida, and there are many others like him. It is so sad that too many parents involvement with their children and school start with the school bus picking them up in time to get a “free” breakfast. He is the only real semblance to many children of what a real society, and law and order stands for. Thank you Deputy Gill.

  3. Tom Meehan on July 19th, 2016 5:30 pm

    Congrats Officer Gill. I can think of no one more deserving of this honor.

  4. Peggu on July 19th, 2016 5:27 pm

    WWOOOOHOOOO!!!Officer Gill is the best, he’s funny,nice,and AMAZING. Wouldn’t want anyone else to protect our school. He can always put a smile on any ones face. Congratulation Officer Gill

  5. Cyndi Daniel on July 19th, 2016 12:18 pm

    Congratulations Officer Gill.

  6. Vickie on July 19th, 2016 7:04 am

    Congrats Officer Gill! This is a well deserved honor.

  7. Gayle Weaver on July 19th, 2016 4:56 am

    Congratulations to Officer Gill. His “willing attitudes of to serve and to assist” have always made him a great example of an officer who cares. Northview High is very proud of you as “SRO of the Year.”

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News