National Law Enforcement Day is recognized to honor all dedicated officers nationwide. This year, the Pembroke Pines Charter High School (PPCHS) went above and beyond to honor its Student Resource Officers (SRO) in a thrill-filled ceremony.
The SROs were welcomed to the cafeteria by the song Bad Boys and instructed to line up near the cash registers. Instead of adorning the hallway walls, students held banners proudly, displaying heartfelt messages such as ‘Thank you, SROs’ and ‘We love you, SROs’. As the song began to fade, the drumline entered, transforming the silence into rhythm.
The powerful percussion echoed across the cafeteria. When it came to an end, the officers lined up to take pictures with students and staff.
According to Officer Bill Bucknam, he and Pembroke Pines Charter’s school resource officers had no idea about this ceremony. “We knew it was National Law Enforcement Day but that’s like going around and telling people it’s your birthday. The school surprised us with [this event]” he says.
Bucknam has worked as an SRO for 22 years, and in his career, he has found a deep appreciation for the kindness PPCHS’s students offer. “Seeing the positive interactions that we have with the kids, the high-fives in the hallway, I think they feel comfortable coming to us and asking us a question. To me, that’s satisfying.”
Officer Patrick Moriarty conversed alongside Bucknam during the event, holding the banner for photos and waving to students. He has been an officer for 25 years and this is his second year working at Charter.
Moriarty links his and Bucknam’s dedication to the growing community that lives here in Pembroke Pines. He explains, “We both have families, we both have kids, but we do have a job and we’re sworn to that position to protect and defend.”
Students, staff, and administrators worked together to pull off the surprise event in record time. Behavioral Specialist, Dan Capiro shared that the event came together in a matter of hours. “It was actually last night. We [administrators] just wanted to celebrate our officers because they do so much for us. So it’s a token of our appreciation.”
The morning of the event, Assistant Principal Cindhia Velez approached the Student Government Association (SGA) to make the ceremony shine. Senior Zoe Cooper, Senior Senator of SGA and drumline captain, quickly gathered her team to perform a cadence.
From 7:50 A.M. to 10:36 A.M., she assembled her team and together they decided they should play ‘a cadence.’ According to Cooper, ‘Drum Cadence A’ is one of the easiest pieces to learn, as drummers are taught it in 6th grade.
Cooper explained, “I honestly didn’t know if it would be possible because our directors weren’t here that day, but we’ll figure it out, we’ll make it work.”
Students such as sophomore, Ava Rivera, felt the celebration was a meaningful way to express gratitude. “They protect us and provide service for us that not all people [do], and we should be grateful for that.” She and Moises Garcia took a yearbook photo with the school resource officers, feeling most grateful for their work.
Velez emphasizes that taking the extra effort to appreciate local law enforcement is highly significant. She says, “Our school resource officers are a very key component in creating a safe space for not only the students but the faculty as well. They are the same kind-hearted heroes that make connections with our students.”
With the excitement of this year’s celebration, the administration is already brainstorming ways to make next year’s National Law Enforcement Day even more memorable. This is just the beginning of a profound Pines Charter tradition, empowering the protectors of the community.
