School Resource Officer

A School Resource Officer (SRO) is a sworn law enforcement officer who is assigned to work in collaboration with one or more schools. SROs are assigned by their employing police department, agency, or sheriff's department to this specific, community-oriented patrol duty. A successful SRO program is focused on building healthy relationships between law enforcement and members of the school district to benefit individual students and the greater community. The Weathersfield Local School District is proud to partner with our township police department to ensure two officers are on campus at all times during school hours.

What does an SRO do?

Act as a first responder who is integrated into the district's emergency planning.
Act as a mentor or counselor for students.
Serve as the first line of defense in a school.
Serve as an informal educator who can help provide important information to students, parents, and staff.
Conduct criminal investigations and make arrests if needed.
Assist and monitor a crisis situation to keep students and school employees safe before additional law enforcement officers arrive.
Maintain a presence in hallways and cafeterias, and at after-school events, to interact with students and build relationships within the school and community.

Officer John Estlack

Officer John Estlack joined the Weathersfield Local School District as a School Resource Officer in August 2022. A native of Trumbull County, Estlack graduated from Lakeview High School in 2016, then enrolled in the Navy as a reservist, and served until 2021. During that time, Estlack also enrolled in the police academy at Kent State University at Trumbull. He completed the program in 2019 and was hired by the Weathersfield Police Department.

Officer Estlack works with fellow SRO, Officer Todd Zickefoose, splitting time between both Mineral Ridge High School and Seaborn Elementary School. Together they patrol the hallways, check exterior doors to ensure they are secured, and interact with students. Officer Estlack says this is a unique law enforcement position, adding he's enjoyed getting to know the students and staff and is grateful to give them a different look at what a law enforcement officer does.

"It’s important to show the younger generation what a police officer is about," Officer Estlack says. "We’re not robots, we are personable and we get along with people, we’re not just here to get people in trouble. I’m glad I can do that."

When Officer Estlack isn't patrolling our halls, he is on duty for the Weathersfield Police Department. In his spare time he enjoys exercise, and snowboarding, and is a self-proclaimed "geek" with a huge interest in superheroes, Marvel and DC Comics and movies, and all things Star Wars.

Officer Todd Zickefoose

Officer Zickefoose joined the Weathersfield Local School District as its second School Resource Officer in January of 2023. A native of Trumbull County, Officer Zickefoose graduated from Howland High School in 2012 and then attended Youngstown State University enrolling in their police academy. He has been a sworn law officer since 2015, working for Mercy Health, the Poland Police Department, and the head of the Niles Municipal Court probation office prior to coming to the Weathersfield Police Department and being assigned to our district.

Officer Zickefoose works with fellow SRO, Officer Estlack, and spends time at both SES and MRHS walking the halls, checking to make sure doors are secure, and interacting with students - which he says is the best part about being a School Resource Officer!

"These students are our future, so making sure they have a safe and productive learning environment is important, which is why I do everything I can to make sure their day goes smoothly," Officer Zickefoose says. "I enjoy interacting with the students, and it's especially rewarding when I see how happy they are to see me when I happen to see them outside of school, it feels like what I'm doing is really making an impact."

When not on patrol, Officer Zickefoose enjoys the outdoors and spending time with family. He is also a former wrestler and hopes to start a program for Weathersfield students in the near future!

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