The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), the world’s leader in school-based policing, awarded Officer Anthony Pate with the National Award of Valor last week at their conference in Orlando, Florida.
In January of 2021, Officer Pate demonstrated brave and immensely controlled communication and tactical skills during a call for service where he disarmed a mentally disturbed subject who had visible blood on his hands and clothing…within 500 feet of students and staff arriving at Carroll Middle School. Because of his actions, a very dangerous and stressful situation was peacefully resolved. No officers or bystanders were injured.
Communication was paramount as Officer Pate was able to contact Johnson Elementary and Carroll Middle to get both schools into lockdown mode. The subject was ultimately arrested for a parole violation.
NASRO stated that Valor Awards are given for a single act of courage and valor, above and beyond that expected of normal incidents/actions of a school resource officer or school staff member.
“Officer Pate is an example of what our SRO program represents,” Chief Brandon said. “He put himself in danger while coordinating resources to help someone in crisis and keep our students safe.”
Officer Pate has over 14 years of law enforcement experience. He was awarded the Southlake Police Department Officer of the Year in 2019, nominated for the Southlake Carroll ISD Distinguished Service award for the 2019-2020 school year, and was the cover photo with a student of Dawson Middle School for the NASRO Journal of School Safety in Fall of 2020.
“Thanks to the assistance of fellow officer like Corporal Billy Thomas, we were able to effectively deescalate the situation without anyone getting hurt,” Officer Pate said. “I’m grateful for the department’s training and the tools that are provided to us to resolve situations as peacefully as possible.”