Rockdale officer D.A.R.E.-s to make a difference

Recently the Rockdale Police Department, via their Facebook page, said it was attempting to identify three schoolgirls.

These girls were named as suspects in a hugging attack that occurred at the Rockdale Elementary School Ice cream social three days before school started.

The victim in the hugging attack was Officer Tim Harris. Harris has been a police officer for the past 15 years, five of those with Rockdale and the past three as Rockdale School District 84’s D.A.R.E. Officer.

But for Rockdale staff and students, Harris is much more than just the school’s D.A.R.E. liaison.

“When our district did not have sports this past school year, Officer Harris asked me what he could do to help create a safe haven for our students who may have been displaced, willing to donate his time and talent, as he wanted to give back,” Rockdale Elementary School Principal Jeffery Peterson said.

“He is the real hero within our community," Peterson said. "Many communities like Rockdale have not found this program to be valuable or even offered in the school, but we are thankful that Officer Harris has a passion and the desire to serve in a greater capacity teaching our youth.”

Harris was at a local corner store the other day, and, in typical Harris fashion, was making sure the young boy buying eggs and milk had checked the expiration dates.

Asked what the best and worst parts of his duties at the school were, Harris said, “Teaching D.A.R.E was the best part of the job, hopefully making a difference in the lives of students.”

There is no doubt he is making an impact on the students. Last Christmas, some local kids were concerned that Harris would be working and Santa Claus wouldn’t make it to his house, so they drew him pictures and spent their own money to buy him a coffee mug for his patrol car.

A video posted by parents shows Harris shooting hoops with the neighborhood kids.

These simple acts of kindness within the community can teach children they do not have to be afraid of the police.