John I. Burton welcomes new Resource Officer

On August 19, 2016 Jason McConnell, a former graduate of John I. Burton High School, began his first day as a Resource Officer for Norton City Schools. Some of his responsibilities including checking doors and windows to make sure they are secured to keep out outside threats. He is also here to make sure no illegal activity takes place in the school. He wants to make sure no drugs or weapons enter the halls of John I. Burton. While speaking with Mr. McConnell, he further emphasized that he wants to make students at Norton City Schools feel safe.

After graduating high school, Jason McConnell attended Mountain Empire Community College, achieving an associates degree in police science. Later, he went to Radford University and received his bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice. He started working with the police department in 2009 and has been working with them for seven years.  

Before the end of the school year, Jason McConnell hopes to get to know each and every one of the students at Burton. He hopes to be someone who any of the students can talk to. He said, "I want to show the students that not all officers are bad and that they shouldn't be afraid of them." Jason wants to make students at Norton City School's always feel safe. In five years, he sees himself still being a Resource Officer at Burton and working with the police department.


Written by: Tori F.