Sheriff Kevin Beary leads the Orange County Sheriff's Office in Orlando, FL, in support of The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. I spoke with Lt. Laurie Helgren, who is responsible for coordinating the department's efforts with various safety programs within the schools. Helgren explained: "We currently have a team of 22 deputies assigned to the 66 elementary schools in Orange County. All of the elementary school children watch the Eddie Eagle^® video during the morning announcements in their school. The kindergarten through 4th graders receive Eddie Eagle^® classroom visitations by one of the deputies assigned to the school."

Helgren receives assistance from deputy sergeants Steve Ersch and Jennifer Treadwell in the enormous task of teaching The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program to over 30,000 children annually. Each sergeant assigns the 22 deputies among two or three schools, where they will teach the various safety programs from mid-August through April of each year.

These deputies are specialists and are better known as School Resource Officers (SROs) within the school and Sheriff's Office. The purpose and mission of the Orange County Sheriff's Office School Resource Officer program is the commitment the agency has to children. Deputies work closely with educators to develop plans to prevent or to reduce dangerous situations in public schools. SROs serve as role models with good communication skills to convey the correct message to young people. Together, deputies and educators are responsible for working within the 66 schools to teach elementary school children various safety programs including Eddie Eagle^®.

Helgren relies on money from their Asset Forfeiture Program to pay for safety materials and supplies. Last year they also received $500 worth of materials through a grant from the Florida Friends of NRA.

Helgren explains: "The deputies use many of the materials available, including the Big Book during story time, and they prefer the personal touch of visiting each class individually." To date the Orange County Sheriff's School Resource Officer program has made over 1,200 presentations of The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program to local elementary school children. Lt. Helgren hopes to expand the program by purchasing an Eddie Eagle^® costume and having more funds available to purchase materials for future presentations.

In conjunction with this year's NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits, Eddie Eagle^® and Headquarters staff will visit Orange County elementary schools from April 22nd through April 24th. They will conduct assemblies with assistance from Lt. Helgren and her seasoned deputies. We are proud to partner with the Orange County Sheriff's Office on this important safety lesson.

Officer Steven Brown is one of ten officers in the Ogden Police Department located in a small town of 20,000 outside of Rochester.

Brown began his law enforcement career in 1985. In 1990 he was selected as the D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) officer for local elementary school children. His lessons cover a broad range of topics including self-esteem, empathy, and conflict resolution for the 6th grade while emphasizing personal safety, 911, and gun safety for grades K-5.

In 1998, Ogden Police Chief Christian Schrank notified Brown of a communication passed by the Monroe County Clerk of the Legislature. The communication was signed by county legislators requesting that county schools and law enforcement agencies educate children about firearm safety. Within this letter legislators urged the use of The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. Upon requesting some program materials, Brown realized he had to get involved in bringing the program to children in his school district. Chief Schrank agreed by saying, "This program fits with our overall program objectives of safety for children." Eddie Eagle^® materials were provided free as a result of fundraising and money donated by the New York Friends of NRA state fund committee.

Currently, Brown proudly serves the residents and children enrolled in either the Spencerport or Churchville School Districts. Those districts include six schools with over 3,000 children enrolled annually. He has reached over 9,000 children since 1999 and hopes to reach many more with Eddie Eagle's^® life-saving message. Brown explains, "Thanks to the grant funding available in New York, we are able to provide these children with materials to take home."

Brown continues to receive positive feedback and encouragement from schoolteachers and parents who attend his half hour safety talks with the children. He also receives letters of encouragement from parents noting their gratitude for his dedication.

Teaching The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program has become an annual activity for Brown and so has the idea of having a trading card with his personal safety message. The card is his fourthth trading card and is given to the kids he teaches. He is the first in the history of the Eddie Eagle^® Program to make such a trading card, and we hope he starts a trend for other law enforcement professionals working with Eddie Eagle^®.

Officer Brown demonstrates the commitment and partnership between the law enforcement community across the nation and The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. We would like to encourage other law enforcement professionals to involve themselves with the same enthusiasm and creativity as Officer Steven Brown of the Ogden Police Department. The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® staff congratulates Officer Brown on his selection as this quarter's "Partner In Safety".

Editor's Note: For those interested in making an Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® trading card please follow these instructions.

1. Send a detailed request on department letterhead. Please include the picture you would like to use as well as the wording on the back of the card. Once we receive this it will be reviewed by our Intellectual Property Committee for their decision.
2. Mail or Fax it to The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program.
   (NRA-11250 Waples Mill Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030 or Fax 703-267-3993)
3. Please be aware that it may take 2 to 3 weeks for review and a written decision.

Officer Robert Clarke and Eddie Eagle^® teach the program at the New Garden Kindergarten Center in Pennsylvania. In 1983, Robert Clarke, Jr. began his career as a police officer. For the last five years, he has been the Community Service and School Resource Officer for the New Garden Township Police Department in Avondale, Pennsylvania. In addition to his police duties, Clarke has over 10 years of experience as a paramedic, and three years as a registered nurse.

The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program is currently being taught to all of the children in southern Chester County, Pa., because of Clarke's efforts. Clarke has reached over 5,000 children while using the program over the past six years. His primary focus is teaching the program annually to over 1,100 students in his jurisdiction (which includes the New Garden Kindergarten Center and the New Garden Elementary School).

Clarke is able to capture the interest of his young audiences by providing live appearances by Eddie Eagle^®. The New Garden Township Police Department was recently able to purchase their own mascot costume after receiving a grant from the Longwood Foundation and Estate.

Officer Clarke makes periodic visits with Eddie Eagle^® to the classrooms. "These brief visits," stated Clarke, "help to reinforce what we teach the children every year during the full Eddie Eagle^® assemblies."

Clarke teaches the Eddie Eagle^® program to all new incoming kindergarten classes at the New Garden Kindergarten Center -- more than 150 children annually. Clarke also arranges periodic visits with Eddie Eagle^® at the Jennersville Regional Hospital in conjunction with the emergency room's safety events.

Clarke not only teaches gun accident prevention to the children in the Chester County area, but is also willing to travel to events taking place in neighboring townships and counties. Chief Gerald W. Davis has been strongly supportive of Clarke's community service efforts. Clarke is also supported in his efforts by fellow New Garden Township police officers who often assist him at various events.

Introducing the program to school nurses, principals, and the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) has been Clarke's promotional style. He usually receives requests from various sources to teach at local events. "Education is the key," said Clarke, "-- education and parental involvement." Clarke has received positive feedback from parents and teachers after they listen to his safety talks and look at the curriculum materials.

When he is not working as a police officer or registered nurse in the emergency room, you can bet that Robert Clarke is spending time with his two children -- Bobby (age 10) and Amanda (age nine). Bobby is such a fan of Eddie Eagle^® that he is building a six-foot plywood portrait of him that will be painted and then displayed in the New Garden Township Police Station training room.

Clarke's wife, Tracy, is also an emergency room nurse at the Brandywine Hospital and Trauma Center. She and her husband share a strong interest in children's safety, and they both enjoy volunteering and sharing their life-saving knowledge with others.

Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge recently recognized Clarke's outstanding efforts by presenting him with the coveted Governor's Safety Award. Congratulations, Officer Clarke, on your safety award and for being selected as the Partners In Safety officer of this quarter. You have joined the long list of law enforcement professionals who are teaching children how to prevent accidents!

In 1999, Corporal Marshall Pierre, Sr. decided to do something about gun accidents involving children in his district.

Corporal Pierre contacted the NRA for assistance and was introduced to the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. He used the program materials with his own children and was impressed with how easy it was for him to teach it and for his children to retain the message. When asked what he liked about the program Pierre said, "The Eddie Eagle GunSafe Program involves everyone; it's not just for children, it has an important message for parents as well. I used my own family to prove it works ... I feel that confident with the program and now tell everyone about it."

Pierre was glad to hear that such a program for children existed because, "in New Orleans and surrounding parishes, there are no gun safety programs designed for children," said Pierre.

Because Pierre works with the Medical Center of Louisiana Police Department Juvenile & Community Relation Division he has first-hand experience with children involved in gun accidents.

"This program has received great reviews right from the start," said Pierre, who added that 2,000 children have already been taught the gun safety message in various locations including: Jefferson Parish Westbank Headstart, Woodmere Elementary, Marrero Christian Academy, George Cox Elementary, and The Medical Center of Louisiana Kids Fair. Many of the Eddie Eagle lessons taught by Corporal Pierre came about because of public requests for him to do so. The program is definitely getting attention and Corporal Pierre is being recognized for his efforts. Pierre has been nominated for Police Officer of the year and hopes the recognition will help in his efforts to spread the Eddie Eagle message to every child within his region. Pierre has also recruited two more officers to teach the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program, Corporals Randy Triggs and Vance Bienimey. Together they hope to reach another 2,000 children this coming school year. Pierre also hopes to get school district officials and legislators involved with the program.

Through NRA's partnership with law enforcement officers such as Corporal Marshall Pierre, Sr., Eddie Eagle's life-saving message has now reached over 15 million children. Pierre's personal commitment and strides to receive recognition for the program have not gone unnoticed. Corporal Pierre has provided children with an opportunity to learn what to do if they ever find a gun and how to be GunSafe^®. Corporal Marshall Pierre's efforts are a great example for children and parents in Louisiana. We congratulate Corporal Marshall Pierre, Sr. as a "Partner in Safety." We enjoy working with such a professional and thank him for his hard work.

The Partners In Safety column usually describes the outstanding efforts of a particular individual. However, this quarter, the Eddie Eagle staff has decided to recognize the contributions of an entire law enforcement agency, namely the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources (DNR-law enforcement section), for their new and innovative training approach.

The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources wears many hats when it comes to dealing with the general public. Although their main expertise lies in issues relating to wildlife, fish, and game they also feel it is vital to teach children the importance of being GunSafe^®. Lieutenant J.D. Cogar of the Fairmont District said that they "were interested in The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program after watching a presentation by DNR officers Doshia Webb and Sgt. Barry Kazier of the Elkins District." It did not take long before several other DNR officers began spreading Eddie Eagle's life-saving message, and eventually they decided to teach and cross-train all DNR field officers in the Eddie Eagle Program and how to deliver its four-part safety message to local schools. "We raised the quality of teaching by instructing small groups and videotaping our officers. We then review the tapes and offer each other tips for an even more effective presentation. It's a win-win situation for all involved," said Cogar.

In addition, each sergeant in West Virginia was asked to teach at three schools annually in their respective areas. Consequently, the DNR is quickly taking the Eddie Eagle message to schools across West Virginia and utilizing three Eddie eagle mascot costumes. Two were purchased with the help of grant funds provided by Friends of NRA and one with DNR funds. Currently the costumes are with DNR's French Creek, Romney, and Fairmont districts but Cogar hopes to have a costume for each district one day. Principals, school faculty, and teachers have all been very receptive to the program according to Sergeant Roy Cool of the Fairmont District.

Many DNR officers have contributed to the program's success throughout West Virginia. The following officers are some of the key participants in teaching the Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program to local elementary schools since 1998. Lt. Cogar, Sergeants Barry Kazier, Roy Cool, and Gary Wade and officers Doshia Webb, Doug Whyte, Brad McDougal, Brian Nuzum, Thomas Spence, Jack Fayak, Kevin Goff, Herald Spencer and Gary Johnson.

Assuring that young people are taught gun accident prevention is a responsibility that many choose to emphasize through the involvement of law enforcement, school officials, and a nationwide partnership with The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program. Through continuous efforts by outstanding law enforcement officers such as the DNR, more children will know how to prevent gun accidents in the years to come. The West Virginia Department of Natural Resources joins a rapidly growing list of distinguished "Partners In Safety" and a heartfelt thanks goes out to all officers involved. Congratulations!

NRA's Eddie Eagle^® staff is proud to recognize Multi-Service Officer Angela Locke-Paddon from California's Gilroy City Police Department as our latest "Partner in Safety." She has been a dedicated law enforcement officer for over 13 years and a great addition to the proud list of volunteers for The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program.

It all began one afternoon when she was asked by her son's teacher to talk with the children at a "Career Day." After some discussion at work, Sergeant Chuck Ellevan mentioned The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program as an option for her presentation. Locke-Paddon obtained free materials utilizing available grant funding and conducted her first presentation to the entire first grade class at Luigi Aprea School. Recognizing the program's effectiveness and her firsthand success teaching the lifesaving message "Stop! Don't Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult," Locke-Paddon was inspired and states, "It is my dream to expand the program to the entire school district and reach all applicable grade levels."

In August of 2000, her dedication and persistence really paid off. She was able to add more excitement to her presentations to the children with help of the Gilroy Police Activity League. After learning that law enforcement agencies could purchase their own Eddie Eagle^® costumes, Locke-Paddon sought to obtain the funds for its purchase. Corporal John Lara, a co-worker, was instrumental in seeking the donation from the Gilroy Police Activity League. The costume was purchased, and soon Locke-Paddon began captivating her young audiences with a live appearance by Eddie Eagle^®.

Locke-Paddon's work with The Eddie Eagle GunSafe^® Program was recently rewarded by the city of Gilroy when she was recognized as the Employee of the Month in October 2000. In addition, the media noticed her assemblies at the local schools, featured Locke-Paddon in The Dispatch newspaper, and ran a story on news channel 46 which made headlines during three different time slots.

Through continuous community support and outstanding representatives like Gilroy City Police Multi-Service Officer Angela Locke-Paddon, NRA's Eddie Eagle^® Program will continue to teach young children the important values of leadership, discipline, and personal responsibility that will help them throughout their lives. Congratulations and thank you to Officer Locke-Paddon!