For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
29 July 2024
One In Five Foundation For Kids
Waukegan, Illinois - The One In Five Foundation For Kids, a national nonprofit organization formed in response to the May 2022 Uvalde, Texas school shooting, announced Monday morning that it will be recognizing Waukegan High School Resource Officer (SRO) Brian Falotico with its National Award for Heroism. This after Falotico — who has been working at the HS campus for over 9 years, was recently credited by school, law enforcement & district officials for his lengthy service protecting and fostering hundreds of positive relationships with students.
Founder of the nonprofit student advocacy and violence prevention group; formed in response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in May 2022, in Uvalde, Texas, Daniel Chapin, noted in the release Monday, that several nominations for recognition came from parents and students, "The relationship and dynamic between Officer Falotico and his students illustrates, to the highest degree, the intrinsic value of placing individuals such as this within the often misunderstood and undervalued SRO position in schools. From long-term mentorship after, to providing a lunchtime refuge from cafeteria stress to developing enough trust to get leads on a crime committed in the city and more, to his empathetic, unique understanding of student life - Officer Falotico does more than most in the general public realize to foster peace and a positive school culture to prevent violence and allow students to be, well, simply students again... We salute officer Falotico & the department he serves.. Heroes still wear badges. And, true heroes do not simply arise when a need arises. Like, Falotico, they work daily to prevent harm from ever visiting our student's classrooms."
The foundation noted that the officer joins other individuals nationally to receive recognitions through its award program, including Casey Orloski, out of Ohio, who recently was granted a student heroism award after reporting a bullet in his schools bathroom, which later proved as part of a school shooting plan against students, the Nashville Police Department, following their response to the Covenant School shooting and officers with the Pittsburgh Police Department.
Walker County SRO Honored:
Teacher Shot By Student Reacts To Grant:
Covenant School Officers To Be Honored:
Pittsburgh Bureau Of Police Recognized By Uvalde Nonprofit:
An award presentation ceremony to honor the officer will be planned in the near future. The foundation noted in the release that the recognition of Officer Falotico, allows for the department to receive official nomination for a school safety grant, with details forthcoming in a subsequent release.
Jennifer West - Media Relations
254 206 9089
The One In Five Foundation For Kids
Formerly: The Uvalde Foundation For Kids
