Officer Shedrick Duffey, Socorro ISD
Outstanding Individual Service

After a distinguished career as a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Trooper Sergeant, Officer Shedrick Duffey brought his extensive experience and dedication to the Socorro ISD (SISD) Police Department. Through daily student interaction during patrols, Officer Duffey has fostered a culture of trust and openness. His visibility and positive relationship-building encourage students to seek help, report concerns, and view campus police as approachable partners in safety. This culture has directly contributed to improved reporting of potential threats and earlier intervention in behavioral concerns. His safety presentations have significantly raised awareness among students, staff, and parents about emerging risks such as THC vaping, online exploitation, bullying, and personal safety.

In 2025, Officer Duffey identified a critical systemic barrier that prevented school district police departments from acquiring surplus state vehicles and equipment. Officer Duffey engaged with State Representative Eddie Morales, which led to the amendment of Texas Government Code 2175.308, enabling school district police departments to acquire not only vehicles but also other essential equipment to enhance operational capabilities. By identifying systemic barriers and driving legislative change, Officer Duffey’s efforts have enabled school district police departments across Texas to acquire needed resources at minimal cost, improving statewide school safety infrastructure.

Leveraging this opportunity, the SISD Police Department secured three retired DPS police vehicles and additional equipment that significantly enhance safety operations. Officer Duffey’s contributions have elevated the district’s safety posture, enhanced preparedness, and built a more informed and engaged school community.

Deloris “DeeDee” Mihalchik, Joshua ISD
Outstanding Individual Service

Captain Deloris “DeeDee” Mihalchik created a children’s book that simplifies the Standard Response Protocol (SRP) using animal characters and easy-to-follow instructions. Understanding that younger students may have difficulty comprehending standard emergency terminology, she developed an engaging and age-appropriate resource that helps students learn and retain vital safety procedures. In addition, she created a coloring sheet that complements the book, providing an interactive component to reinforce the lessons. Captain Mihalchik personally teaches this program to all elementary campuses in the district, ensuring consistent, districtwide understanding of emergency protocols among our youngest learners.

Captain Mihalchik’s work supports Texas Education Code 37.114, which mandates that schools conduct emergency drills and exercises to prepare for potential crises. Her initiative has had a measurable and positive impact on school safety with elementary principals across the district praising her teaching sessions and noting that students now more clearly grasp the SRP language and actions. Her program has strengthened the district’s overall safety culture by ensuring that even the youngest members of the school community understand how to respond quickly and appropriately to staff instructions during critical incidents. The result is a more coordinated, confident, and safe environment for students and staff alike.

Patrice Whitten, Educator and Former Administrator
Outstanding Individual Service

Patrice Whitten exemplifies exceptional insight and expertise in school safety and crisis intervention. She demonstrated her deep understanding of security threats, behavioral de-escalation, and emergency response during an incident in which she successfully diffused a life-threatening situation involving a student with a firearm.

Through her calm, strategic approach, she protected the lives of students, staff, and law enforcement officers. Her actions highlight the importance of relationship-building and proactive safety measures in preventing violence before it escalates. She not only de-escalated the immediate threat but also provided critical emotional support to the student in crisis, demonstrating her comprehensive understanding of both security and mental health challenges in school environments.

Mrs. Whitten’s leadership extends to ongoing advocacy for improved safety policies, staff training, and student support systems. Her commitment to safety education, emergency preparedness, and fostering a secure school culture makes her an invaluable leader in advancing best practices in school security.

Paul Batchelder Jr., New Caney ISD
Outstanding Individual Service

Paul Batchelder Jr. has served as the Director of Life Safety and Emergency Preparedness for New Caney ISD (NCISD) since 2019, overseeing safety systems and emergency planning and facilitating critical safety training for district personnel. He leads safety audits, monitors legislative changes, ensures compliance with state regulations, and coordinates with local emergency agencies.

Paul is dedicated to improving safety at NCISD through innovative tools like the Crisis Manager app, which provides staff with real-time updates and emergency protocols. He conducts training sessions to ensure staff are well prepared for emergencies and works closely with local responders to enhance safety readiness. He also fosters a safety-first culture through district-wide drills.

Paul actively engages students and the community in safety efforts, including introducing student-led safety videos to promote peer education and ensuring that safety protocols reflect input from all stakeholders. His proactive strategies and collaborative efforts ensure that the district remains prepared for a wide range of potential safety and security issues.

Officer Michelle Contreras, Southside ISD
Outstanding Individual Service

As the school resource officer, Michelle Contreras is deeply committed to engaging and involving students, staff, and community partners in creating a safer environment at Menchaca Early Childhood Center. Officer Contreras fosters a culture of creativity and empowerment, encouraging students to contribute their ideas and perspectives to campus safety initiatives. Through art projects, storytelling sessions, and classroom discussions, she invites children to explore concepts of safety in ways that resonate with their developmental stage.

Officer Contreras fosters open communication channels within the school community. She encourages students, staff, and parents to voice their concerns and share any potential safety-related issues they may encounter. She provides comprehensive training sessions to educate staff members on emergency procedures, risk assessment techniques, and best practices for maintaining a secure learning environment. She actively engages in preventative measures and collaborates closely with school administrators to develop emergency response protocols, ensuring swift and coordinated action in any unforeseen event. She conducts thorough assessments of the school's physical infrastructure, identifying potential vulnerabilities and recommending targeted improvements to mitigate risks.

Her role extends far beyond that of a traditional law enforcement officer; she is a catalyst for change, continuously seeking ways to enhance safety protocols and cultivate a culture of preparedness.

Keith Chapman, Crandall ISD
Outstanding Individual Service

Keith Chapman serves as Executive Director of Emergency Operations and Security Management for Crandall ISD. Through risk assessments, mitigation strategies, response protocols, training and drills, partnerships with local law enforcement and emergency services, and communication with staff, students, and parents, Keith has significantly improved Crandall ISD’s emergency response capabilities.

He created Security Shorts, a series of quick safety and security videos targeted specifically to parents and community members, students, and staff. He constantly conducts interior and exterior door checks and created a "Fortress Award" for principals to highlight this important topic. Keith recognizes that safety extends beyond physical security. He serves as the contact for the Behavioral Threat Assessment Team and has contributed insights into the importance of addressing mental health and student well-being as critical components of safety and security.

Keith's dedication to community engagement has fostered a sense of shared responsibility for safety, resulting in stronger ties between the school and local emergency services, as well as increased awareness and participation among parents and students in safety-related activities.

Alice Jordan, Garland ISD
Outstanding Individual Service

Alice Jordan is the glue that holds together Garland ISD’s Security Department. During her eight-year tenure as office manager, administrative assistant, and resident school safety professional, Mrs. Jordan has provided a high degree of insight through her planning, researching, recommending, and executing more streamlined, sustainable, and commonsense methods of operation including improving lockdown drills and redesigning the 24/7 security dispatch center.

She is in constant contact with police lieutenants, school resource officers, city officials, staff, and students. She singlehandedly coordinates and schedules police and security officers for thousands of events each school year. She provides a high degree of insight and knowledge – always asking crucial questions that improve day-to-day operations. Her community partnerships have taken the department to the next level regarding training with SWAT teams and the Department of Defense.

She communicates to all stakeholders: parents, students, teachers, principals, community members, law enforcement, and others. She troubleshoots and communicates with all 71 campuses to identify and address problems. Mrs. Jordan’s natural inclination toward problem-solving and using evidence-based practices daily reduces risks in Garland ISD.