History of TAASRO

The Alabama Association of School Resource Officers (TAASRO) was formed on December 3, 1999. The organization's first meeting was held at the Calhoun County Sheriff's Department in Anniston, Alabama. Twenty school resource officers attended this meeting, which was organized by Deputy Tracy Heard of Calhoun County. Deputy Heard had attended a NASRO conference and wanted Alabama to have its own state association. The first meeting was arranged through phone calls, emails, and teletypes.

First Meeting and Election

This first meeting began TAASRO's mission of educating law enforcement officers and educators across the state about the role of school resource officers. During this meeting, the first Board of Directors was elected:

  • President: Tracy Heard (Calhoun County)

  • Vice President: Scott Dorroh (Florence Police Department)

  • Secretary: Dave Thompson (Jefferson County Sheriff's Department)

  • Treasurer: Jeff Bridges (Trussville Police Department)

To ensure statewide representation, area representatives were also elected:

  • Northwest Representative: Scott Hamilton (Muscle Shoals Police Department)

  • Northeast Representative: Shed Long (Anniston Police Department)

  • Central Representative: Mac Hardy (Hoover Police Department)

  • Southeast Representative: Don Strickland (Millbrook Police Department)

  • Southwest Representative: Doyle Lee (Atmore Police Department)

Later, additional positions were appointed:

  • Education Coordinator: Phil Bailey (Jefferson County Sheriff's Department)

  • Logistics Officer: Nathan Beard (Florence Police Department)

Bylaws, Logo, and Conference

The original TAASRO Board drafted bylaws, adopted a logo, and established the annual summer TAASRO Conference. The original bylaws were adopted on January 27, 2000, and have been updated several times since. On June 9, 2003, the board voted to "lock" the bylaws so that amendments require board approval and ratification at the next summer conference.

The TAASRO logo was adopted on March 28, 2000, based on artwork submitted by Alabama high school students. Two pieces of art were selected by the Board and combined to create the TAASRO logo. The logo features the state of Alabama, a police shield, a sheriff's star, and an apple, symbolizing the partnership between police departments, sheriff's departments, and schools in keeping students safe.

The annual summer conference has been a cornerstone event for TAASRO since 2000, held on the white sands of the Alabama Gulf Coast. The first conference had 42 attendees, and by 2006, attendance had grown to 165.

Other Board Members

Throughout TAASRO's history, several original board members have resigned for personal reasons, and other TAASRO members have stepped forward to fill these roles, contributing significantly to the organization's growth. Notable members include:

  • Danny Holmes (Pell City Police Department) - Northeast Representative

  • Rob Arnett (Covington County Sheriff's Department) - Interim President & Southwest Representative

  • Mo Canady (Hoover Police Department) - President

  • Jonathon Richey (Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department) - Northwest Representative

  • Duff Manners (Jacksonville Police Department) - Northeast Representative

  • Tim Dail (Etowah County Sheriff's Department) - Vice President

  • Ed Billings (Luverne Police Department) - Logistics Officer