A member of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office has been named New York’s school resource officer of the year.
Most schools across New York have a dedicated member of law enforcement who spends the day in the school dealing with various situations. The school resource officer (SRO) is a law enforcement officer in a school who not only handles emergencies and assists staff with enforcing school rules, but also mentors and teaches life skills.
New York School Resource Officer of the Year
Ulster County Sheriff’s Office Via FacebookUlster County, NY School Resource Officer Recognized
Earlier this week, Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa announced that one of Ulster County’s best was recently recognized as the 2025 Sheriff Ron Spike School Resource Officer of the year. Deputy Justin Watson, who is currently assigned to BOCES in Port Ewen, NY, received the award at the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute awards luncheon in Albany, NY, on Tuesday.
Figueroa said,
“Members of our agency had the pleasure of attending the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute awards luncheon in Albany for the recognition of Deputy Justin Watson. He has been selected as the 2025 Sheriff Ron Spike SRO of the Year.”
Deputy Justin Watson
Ulster County Sheriffs Office Via FacebookDeputy Justin Watson, New York SRO of the Year
Deputy Watson, who started with the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office on a part-time basis in 2021 and moved to full-time in 2022, began his career on patrol. He later transitioned to a role as a School Resource Officer at BOCES in Port Ewen, NY. Figueroa called Watson a valued member of the school community. “Throughout his career, he has gone above and beyond in coordinating events throughout the community, ” said Figueroa. “We are proud of this wonderful accomplishment and congratulate him on this recognition!”
New York State Sheriffs’ Institute Awards
Ulster County Sheriffs Office Via FacebookNew York State Sheriffs’ Institute Awards
Each year, the New York State Sheriffs’ Institute holds an annual luncheon to award select law enforcement members in various categories, including deputy, correction officer, court officer, and SRO of the year. Other winners this year include:
New York Deputy of the Year
Jacob Dietzel
Joshua Summers
Andrew Foertsch
John Kerwich
New York Correction Officer of the Year
David Passino
Erik Francis
New York Court Officer of the Year
Casey McRae
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
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