Pasco Deputy Named Florida Resource Officer Of The Year

LAND O' LAKES, FL — A Pasco County Sheriff's Office school resource officer will begin the 2021 school year with a renewed sense of purpose after being named the Florida School Resource Office of the Year Monday.

Cpl. Elissa Elders, a resource officer at Pine View Middle School in Land O' Lakes, said she was surprised to learn at the Florida Association of School Resource Officers' School Safety Conference that she'd been chosen out of more than 800 school resource officers for the top honor.

Attending by more than law enforcement officers involved in school safety, the 42nd annual FASRO School Safety Conference began Monday and continues through July 30 in Orlando. The Florida Association of School Resource Officers is the largest state organization of SROs in the country.

The recognition came via a video message from Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.

“Cpl. Elders is a shining example of what every school resource officer should aspire to be—a role model, mentor and friend to the students at her school," Moody said. "Cpl. Elders does not limit her role to just providing security on campus. She goes above and beyond her professional requirements to personally engage with and better the lives of the students she serves."

Elders is a 15-year law enforcement veteran and has served as an SRO for the past seven years at Pine View Middle School, acting as an advocate and resource to students, faculty or staff in need of help or guidance.

Elders sponsors and personally pays for the expenses of multiple clubs, including Girls on the Run, Craft Club and the Walking Dead Fan Club to reach and engage students on campus who have a variety of interests. Elders also began the SRO for a Day program on campus, selecting students to spend the day patrolling the campus and enjoying lunch at a place of their choosing with Elders.

Elders’ work is not limited to the school campus. During last year’s remote learning, Elders went above and beyond to make a student’s birthday special by attending a virtual birthday party, complete with a decorated patrol car, birthday cake and signs.

On another occasion, Elders noticed a student struggling with anxiety. She learned that the student had an interest in weather and began to track and discuss hurricanes with the student to help reduce the student's concerns during the pandemic. Elders went on to arrange for the student’s favorite meteorologist to send a personal message of support.

"Cpl. Elders is just as dedicated to being present for students once the school day is complete," Moody said. "Thank you, Cpl. Elders, for all that you do to enrich the lives of the students you serve, leaving a lasting impact far beyond their time at Pine View.”

Back in Pasco County, parents posted a steady stream of congratulations to Elders.

"She deserves it all," Laura Storck said. "My twins got to spend three years with her at Pine View and loved her just like all the other kids do. She is an amazing person and she is so great with the kids (which isn't easy with teenagers)."

"Congratulations," Janine Stokes said. "She is great and earned this. She is my daughter's Junior Explorers Leader. Thank you for all you do."