27th Annual Community Awards Banquet
The 27th Annual Community Awards Banquet will be held at the Barnesville Civic Center on March 4, 2010 beginning at 7 pm. This is an important event for our community because it is a time where many of Barnesville’s most valuable citizens are recognized.
First a little background. I'm currently 20 years old and going to an out of state college. My Senior year, at 18 years old, I messed up...bad. Bad enough that I should have went to jail. Up until this point I wasn't the best student, but also wasnt the worst. I was the typical screw up teenager. My parents were struggling to get me through school and I was as hard headed as ever.
When I messed up I was caught by Officer Roberts, the school resource officer. Being 18 I was placed in handcuffs and placed in the back of the patrol car. I remember looking out the window of the car at Officer Roberts while he stood at the back of the car. Knowing now, that he was trying to determine what to do with me.
I was taken out and taken out of handcuffs and walked into his office. While much of what was said in that office is a blur, because I was still being arrogant and hardheaded, I do remember these words.
"You may not believe it now, but I'm here to help you, not hurt you."
Officer Roberts has always been an advocate for the High School students. Had he went on and arrested me that day I know, for a fact, that I would not be where I am now. Yes, I got in a whole hell of a lot of trouble with the school. But that would have not compared with the long term effects of an arrest that would have done.
I still have many cousins in the High School that say Office Roberts hasn't changed. He does not fit the mold of a regular "cop". Students think he got lost somewhere in the career process and picked up a badge instead of a teacher's handbook.
Most of the time an officer is judged by the amount of tickets he writes, or the types of arrests he makes. For Officer Roberts though, it should be based on the amount of arrests he prevents with his connection to the students and his ability to process long term effects.
While my nomination probably wont count due to me not living in Lamar, I figured this was the best opportunity to express my gratitude. Officer Roberts can see the difference between a criminal, and a teenager, and for that, Lamar should be grateful.
And if you are reading this Officer Roberts...thanks for my future.
Deonte