Sheriff bonds with elementary students
Trinity North Elementary School student Katie Miller talks to Washington County Sheriff Sam Romano during lunch.
During one of the sheriff’s monthly visits to North Trinity Elementary School, Washington County K-9 Obie greets students during their lunch hour.
Washington County Sheriff Sam Romano ties the shoe of kindergartner Sincere Davis during lunch at Trinity North Elementary School on Wednesday. Romano makes a monthly visit to the school to build relationships with the students and teach them about a variety of subjects including gun safety and who to call in case of an emergency.
Trinity North first-grader Aaliyah Ewen gets a kiss from Obie, Washington County’s K-9 dog. Deputy Kristie Salzman brought in Obie for a visit with the students.
Last year, during one of his monthly visits to Trinity North Elementary School, Washington County Sheriff Sam Romano was asked by a student what to do if he found a gun.
Romano told the little boy to leave it alone and call 911.
A few months later, during an altercation between his parents, the student hid with his sister and followed Romano’s advice.
“It might have saved someone’s life,” said Romano. “You don’t think someone that young would remember (what I told him), but he did.”
Romano’s lunchtime visits became a part of his routine in the wake of conflicts between citizens and officers. He and teacher Linda Oros decided there was a need to help children feel safe around officers.
“We teach them when they’re this young that we’re your friends,” said Romano. “We’re here to help you.” On Wednesday, Romano brought a friend.
Deputy Obie, the county’s K-9 officer, greeted kindergarten through third-grade students as they filed in and out of the cafeteria. Most couldn’t resist petting the 2-year-old black Laborador retriever. Kristie Salzman, deputy sheriff and Obie’s handler, gave them permission because he was off-duty.
Police departments in Washington and surrounding counties rely on Obie, trained in tracking and bomb and narcotics detection.
“If you went outside and got lost, he could find you,” Romano told students.
Romano, who retied shoes and shook hands with the students, made them laugh by calling them the wrong name, and had to answer a few tough questions.
“If someone shoots someone, you come arrest them?”
“If you put somebody in jail, how long do they stay there?”
And, the most difficult for Romano, from a little girl whose father is serving time in jail – “Are you still taking care of him? Make sure you tell my dad I said, ‘Hi.'”
“That’s tough. It can be heartbreaking,” Romano said. “But the kids have always been receptive. We want them to know we’re here for them.”