The National Association of School Resource Officers will present a special award to a Paducah Police Department officer in July at a ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona.
Tuesday, the NASRO announced Paducah Police Officer Gretchen Morgan and her bearded dragon, Rizzoli, will receive the Safety and Support Companion Award on July 15.
The organization said it presents the award to school resource officers and the officers’ animal companions who make significant positive contributions to schools through their work as public safety educators, mentors, and law enforcement officers.
NASRO will present the award during its annual National School Safety Conference.
The organization said its 34rd annual National School Safety Conference will be held July 14-19 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to presenting the Safety and Support Companion Award and other awards to SROs, NASRO said the conference provides attendees with opportunities to learn best practices for SRO and other school safety programs. It also provides networking opportunities to SROs and other law enforcement officers, school security and safety officials, school board members, administrators and others interested in school safety.