SRO, Student Recognized By State Law Enforcement Association

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY — A Dutchess County Sheriff's Office school resource officer and a high school student received awards from a state police association. Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian “Butch” Anderson said Dutchess County Sheriff’s Deputy/School Resource Officer Evan Traudt and Arlington High School student Angela McDevitt have both been selected to receive awards from the State of New York Police Juvenile Officers Association.

Traudt will be the first-ever recipient of the John F. Cataldi Jr. School Resource Officer of the Year award, and McDevitt will receive the Youth of the Year award.

Both are scheduled to formally receive the awards during the annual association conference banquet in Binghamton Aug. 30.

Traudt was selected for the award based on a number of criteria including his overall professionalism and dedication to his role as a School Resource Officer, and McDevitt was selected based on the courage she displayed in the face of a difficult situation earlier this year.

In February 2018, McDevitt approached authorities with information that she had about an individual living in Vermont that may be planning a school shooting there. The information then made its way to her school’s SRO — Traudt — who proceeded to immediately act on it.

He worked closely with Vermont authorities and it was determined that the threat was in fact credible, at which time the person was arrested.

Had it not been for the actions of Traudt and McDevitt the situation in Vermont may have ended with different results, but instead tragedy was avoided and both have been credited with saving numerous lives.

Anderson said he was extremely proud of Traudt and the work that he has done,and continues to do, as a deputy sheriff and school resource officer, and is also very proud of McDevitt and her courageous actions.

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