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When students walk through the doors of Fauquier County Public Schools each morning, one thing is certain: Someone is looking out for them. Fauquier is the only school division in Virginia with an armed school security officer, or SSO, in every school, every day.

The program began in 2018 after the tragic Parkland school shooting. Former Superintendent, David Jeck, recognized a gap in school safety and reached out to retired law enforcement leaders to create a new kind of protection. Salvatore “Sal” Torelli, the first SSO at Fauquier High School, brought on Franz Mahler, a retired Virginia State Police sergeant, helping launch what has become a model program.

“I retired officially one day, and the next day I got a call asking me to help start this program,” Mahler recalled. “At first, the plan was just one SSO at one high school. But quickly, it grew. By that August, we had three officers. Today, all 19 schools are covered.”

All Fauquier SSOs are armed, retired law enforcement officers with decades of experience, collectively bringing more than 500 years of service to the schools.

“Parents should know—every one of us is certified, continually trained and prepared,” Mahler said. “If you drop your child off at school, you can be assured there’s someone here who would do whatever it takes to protect them.”

SSOs differ from school resource officers, or SROs. While SROs are sworn law enforcement officers employed by the sheriff’s office, SSOs work directly for the schools, giving them the flexibility to respond quickly to concerns inside the building.

Though safety is the top priority, SSOs are more than a line of defense. They are part of the school community—mentors, role models and trusted adults students can turn to.

Mahler has seen firsthand how those connections build trust. “Last year, a student reminded me of a promise I made his freshman year—that I’d play a game of chess with him before he graduated,” he said with a laugh. “I don’t even play chess, and he beat me badly. But he remembered that promise for four years. That kind of connection matters.”

That same philosophy is what drew George Southard to his post at Ritchie Elementary. Southard, a 33-year veteran of the Warrenton Police Department, has served as an SSO since November 2018.

“I asked to be placed in an elementary school,” Southard said. “I wanted to be around students where I feel I can have the greatest impact on a child’s life.”

For him, the role extends beyond the school walls. “I’m here for the parents and the school,” he said. “My door is always open—to parents, even grandparents—who want to know more about me and what I do. I want to build rapport with not only students and staff, but with their families too.”

That commitment shows up in small but meaningful ways. He celebrates students’ birthdays with a magic trick and a wristband, creating small moments that strengthen relationships. He also looks for ways to make safety practices less intimidating. To prepare students for emergencies, Southard created a presentation for staff and introduced the use of a simple keyword, “London Bridge.” When a teacher says it, students drop to the floor, scoot to the wall and stay quiet, practicing what to do in a lockdown drill.

The goal, he said, is to make something that could feel frightening into something routine. “Kids are preparing their minds for what their bodies may need to do one day,” Southard explained. “I grew up in this community, and I love being able to give back to it. I love what I do and who I do it for.”

Whether it is Southard in an elementary school or Mahler at a high school, the approach remains the same: protect first, but connect always. That connection is reinforced through ongoing training. SSOs must recertify every two years, completing at least 16 hours of additional instruction in areas such as tactical medicine, mental health crisis response, Narcan administration and youth driving safety.

“The world changes,” Mahler said. “We have to change with it. We’re working with kids, and that means understanding them.”

For Mahler, success is simple: “A good day is when every student who came in that morning goes home safely that afternoon.” He compares the role to a fire extinguisher—always present, hopefully never needed, but critical in an emergency.

“When people ask why we do this, it’s because we believe every child deserves to feel safe in school,” Mahler said. “Every one of us knows, when we put this uniform on, we may be called to make the ultimate sacrifice. And we would. Without hesitation.”

Eight years in, Fauquier’s SSO program has become a model for other school divisions. It is a rare blend of security, community and heart.

“These officers aren’t just here for safety—they’re here for the kids,” said David Graham, assistant superintendent of administration. “Every day, they make sure students are looked after, and that’s something families can count on.”

“Safety is a team effort,” said Sgt. Aaron Vescovi, lead school resource officer. “Fauquier’s SSOs bring decades of law enforcement experience into every school, and our collaboration with them ensures we can respond effectively to any situation while maintaining a positive learning environment.”

As the county continues to grow, the SSOs remain a cornerstone of safety and trust. Mahler sums it up simply: “Every child deserves to feel safe when they walk into school. That’s our job, and we take it personally. Every day, we show up, we care, and we’re ready. Fauquier’s kids are worth it.”