We are shining our spotlight on a Norfolk police officer who is pulling double duty in a Norfolk middle school. Our surprise will unfold in the library of Azalea Gardens Middle School---where we wait for Officer Demetris Taylor. He's the school's resource officer and wrestling coach.
Once he entered and saw the News 3 camera, staff members and a handful of students, he suspected something was up. I explained someone sent me an email, a parent Susan Wood, who read a portion of it, "Officer Demetris Taylor may be a bit intimidating by his size and his Norfolk Police Department uniform, but he is one of the kindest, most humble people I've ever met. Middle school is some of the toughest years for a kid. He engages with the kids, teaches them lessons, acts as a role model, keeps an eye on the kids, and protects the kids."
The students love him, like Lamont Wallace, "He's a good coach and when I get in trouble, he helps me. He keeps me out of trouble. He's like my mentor."
Wood added in her email, "We need more people and recognition of people in our community like Officer Taylor!"
We were happy to recognize him with a News 3 People Taking Action award and present a $300 Visa gift card from our community partner Southern Bank.
Officer Taylor's response? "Hey I love it . I love it. I just love working with our kids and our youth and making sure they're on the right path." He realizes and so do others, his dual responsibilites of wearing two hats, being the school's wrestling coach---and being the school's resource officer. He means a lot to the principal, Dr. Reuthenia Clark, "So I really value him being a part of my staff. I don't see him as the officer who comes in to my school, I see him as part of the family."
