Congrats D/S Higgins

Congratulations to SRO Deputy Sheriff Tim Higgins! Everglades Elementary School Principal Tracy Maxwell Downing stated, “Deputy Timothy Higgins is an Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer who works at Everglades Elementary School. Deputy Higgins was recently recognized by Sonny’s BBQ as an Outstanding Hero after one of our grandparents, Lori Perez, nominated him. Sonny’s BBQ provided lunch to all faculty and staff and a few members of the Sheriff’s Office to celebrate the wonderful job Deputy Higgins does. The manager of Sonny’s told us that Deputy Higgins was selected from many nominees given that this contest was a Treasure Coast contest, and we are so proud he was selected to be honored. Deputy Higgins is an integral part of the Everglades family. Every morning you can find him welcoming students, by name, as parents drop their children off to school. He says ‘good morning’ to students when he opens car doors for them and he speaks to each parent as he wishes them a good day. He helps students zip their jackets on chilly mornings, he puts their back packs on correctly, and he even ties a shoe or two on any given morning. During lunch time, Deputy Higgins is in the cafeteria helping students open milk containers, and he has thoughtful conversations with them about his job, his role at the school, and how to be good community members and citizens. He is well respected by all the students, and they call him over to their table just to chat during lunch. In between morning drop off and lunch, Deputy Higgins walks through class rooms, and he just keeps an eye on things. During fire drills and mock lock down drills, Deputy Higgins walks the campus to ensure our procedures are carried out, and he keeps an eye out for ways to make our campus safer. Recently, he presented Stranger Danger to our 1st grade students, Cyberbullying to our 4th grade students, and he had a discussion with our 2nd through 5th graders about the new FLDOE FortifyFL App which can be used by anyone to report suspicious or concerning activity. We are so fortunate to have such a respectable, dedicated, devoted deputy on our campus each and every day. He is one of a kind, and we couldn’t be happier he is part of our educational family.” Sheriff Noel E. Stephen stated, “Deputy Higgins is a perfect example of the type of Deputy we strive to have in our Sheriff’s Office. He portrays the positive image of a Law Enforcement Officer to his students, their parents and the School Staff each and every day. I appreciate Sonny’s BBQ for recognizing Deputy Higgins. His supervisors and I are very proud of him.”Well Done Tim! Michele Bell, PIO

Pictured (back row Lt. Jimmy Mills, Captain Rob Coleman, Lt. Chris Hans, Cpl. Cari Arnold, Asst. Principal Jenni Ellis; front row Sgt. Mark Roberts, Tami Higgins, D/S Higgins, Principal Tracy Maxwell Downing and Lori Perez)