Tracey Mayberry, Todd County School Resource Officer and Todd County Deputy Sheriff, was awarded the 2019 Deputy Sheriff of the Year at the 90th Annual Kentucky Sheriff’s Association Banquet in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Thursday, September 12.
Officer Tracey Mayberry has served as the role of a Detective on the Hopkinsville Police Department, a Deputy Sheriff with Todd County Sheriff’s Department, an advocate and criminal investigator for the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and as a vital member of the Todd County School District as a School Resource Officer for Todd County Schools. Prior to joining the ranks of law enforcement, Officer Mayberry proudly served her country as a Specialist E-4 in the United States Army from 1986-1990.
With countless experience and knowledge in law enforcement, Officer Mayberry, along with Todd County Sheriff’s Department, has worked relentlessly to increase the community outreach, visibility and access of the Todd County Sheriff’s Department within our rural community. Officer Mayberry understands and provides a calming and secure presence within our schools. Working in her role as an SRO, Officer Mayberry is a mentor and leader within the Todd County School District. She works tirelessly to provide guidance to students, going above and beyond the basic tasks of an officer. Officer Mayberry serves as a leader to a group of students within the school, developing a ”Model Leaders” club with who she meets with weekly to discuss problems, academics, homelife, and interests. Through her outreach, she has led by example and removed any negative connotations students in rural poverty may have of law enforcement, serving as a role model and friend that the students and parents can trust.
Another organization close to Officer Mayberry’s heart is the Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center. Officer Mayberry assists the center with investigations services and support to victims of child abuse and their non-offending family members. She provides professional and caring guidance when interacting with victims and families. Working within our schools and community, Officer Mayberry works to provide unprecedented care for our students and staff within the community, building a trusting relationship, and supporting the Todd County Community by promoting positive relationships with Todd County Citizens and law enforcement agencies.
Officer Mayberry is an invaluable resource to our school community. Primarily assigned at the Todd County Central High School, Officer Mayberry maintains a presence at all schools in Todd County School District. Officer Mayberry has lunch on campus, interacts with the students, teaches classes related to law enforcement, and the responsibility of citizenship. Officer Mayberry provides a visible deterrent to crime and a positive representation of the Todd County Sheriff’s Office. Through her work on campus as an SRO, Officer Mayberry has developed an Art Club within Todd County Central High School. The Art Club provides opportunities for students to positively express themselves inside of school and provide community service work to the Todd County Community. Identifying the need, Officer Mayberry initiated a Wellness Club that includes physical training and health classes, stressing the importance of an active lifestyle and nutritious diet in maintaining healthy lifestyle.
As outreach for the Sheriff’s Department, Officer Mayberry implemented a Student Police Academy. Through the Student Police Academy Officer Mayberry provides students skills in first aid, bullying prevention, gang awareness and prevention, avoiding peer pressure, Internet safety, and the dangers of drugs and alcohol (including prescription drugs). Academy activities help Student Officers develop self-esteem and self-confidence, learning to work within a team, and building leadership skills. Through her effort, students feel more equipped to deal with peer pressure and bullying and are more comfortable interacting with authority figures such as police officers and teachers. Officer Mayberry’s role extends beyond school hours, as she attends after school events such as sporting events and dances, for moral support and security.
Officer Mayberry works to evaluate the safety and security of our school. Besides providing a physical presence, she has worked with the administrative team to develop safety procedures for each building and coordinated with community agencies to provide ongoing support to ensure the schools are safe and securely managed. Leading trainings to school staff and the community, Officer Mayberry provides annual active shooter training, school safety evaluations, and coordinates emergency drills to ensure orderly and efficient procedures are in place and both students and staff are coordinated in the case of an emergency event. Trust between law enforcement and the public is essential. Officer Mayberry understands her essential role, and in turn, works with transparency to build community support and cooperation to ensure safety within the Todd County Community.
Superintendent Ed Oyler stated, “Officer Mayberry has a clear focus on priorities and navigates conflict and change with a balance of being both a member of a team and its leader. She understands the impact of her role as a law enforcement officer and the important role the Sherriff’s Department can have on the community. Similarly, Officer Mayberry’s understanding of the Todd County population and cultural aspects of the community enable her to provide effective safety practices and guidance to diverse individuals, families, and groups within the community of care. Officer Mayberry epitomizes a career law enforcement officer, and we are lucky to have her as part of our team.