Protecting our schools: Local SRD says it takes more than just a badge

School resource deputies who patrol the halls of the schools every day deal with anything from drugs to safety, and after last week's shooting in Parkland, more emphasis is being placed on protection.

Students at one local school say they feel safe, as long as one certain deputy is on duty.

"I expect him every single day when I come to school," Freeport Elementary fourth-grader Joey Jackson said.

He's one of the most popular guys on campus.

"Most of them, they love to see me when I'm coming," Walton County Sheriff's Office School Resource Deputy Corelle Banjoman said. "I give them knuckles and high-fives and we just have a good time all day."

Deputy Banjoman is well known around Freeport Elementary school, not only as an SRD, but also as a friend.

"I have approximately 754 kids, so I call them all my babies," Deputy Banjoman said.

"I think of him as a friend and not an officer, but I know if something would happen he would protect [us]," Freeport Elementary fourth-grader Megan Weller expressed.

"It's super funny and he keeps us safe at Freeport Elementary and I just feel super safe being around him," Jackson said.

SRD by day and high school football coach by night, Deputy Banjoman said his job is more than just carrying a gun.

"[My job is] first and foremost is to protect everyone here at the school, but secondly it's just to mentor the kids and show them that police officers aren't bad people," he said.

"Every time I see a cop it always just flashes in my mind: Officer Banjoman," Jackson said.

"If kids are scared of him, they shouldn't be because he's got all that stuff on his belt but it's for good use and he he keeps us safe," Weller added.

Deputy Banjoman can often be caught dancing around in class or chatting it up at lunch. His presence serves as peace of mind to many.

"Every so often, the younger, younger kids may be afraid of just the uniform in general," he said, "but that's quickly changed as soon as they see I'm not a bad guy and we start dancing or playing around."

"He acts like... not a deputy. He acts like a child," Weller laughed.

"I think it does let them know that we're the good guys, we're not someone that they need to fear," Banjoman said. "My goal is for them to be able to approach law enforcement and come to us with any issues they may be having."

He said he knows SRDs are making a positive impact.

"I signed up to be a deputy to, you know, help people. I didn't know that it would lead into the exact line of work that I'm most proud to be in," Banjoman said.

"They keep Freeport and Florida safe," Jackson said. "I know for a fact that every day I come to this school I'll be safe and have nothing to worry about."

Every school in Walton County is staffed with a WCSO School Resource Deputy.