A national organization for school-based policing officers has recognized the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the department has announced.
The National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO) cited both the office and an individual officer for their work.
David Puma, a deputy, was selected as a recipient of the 2026 NASRO Regional Exceptional Service Award, recognizing “sustained performance far above the standard expected of school resource officers nationwide,” the Sheriff’s Office said.
The Sheriff’s Office itself was recognized with the 2026 NASRO Model SRO Agency Award, identifying the department as a model for “effectiveness, professionalism, and impact.”
“When the leading organization in the country honors both an individual deputy and the program as a whole, it reinforces that our approach is working and making a meaningful difference for our students and schools,” Sheriff John Idleburg said. “School safety and community engagement remain top priorities for this office, and they will continue to be at the forefront of my administration.”
NASRO establishes best practices and offers training for school resource officers. Locally, officers are embedded at schools across Lake County, helping identify safety concerns and acting as a resource and a mentor for students.
“Our focus has always been on prevention, relationships, and trust,” Idleburg added. “This recognition confirms that our deputies are not only doing the job, they are setting the standard.”
Deputy Puma and the Lake County Sheriff’s Office SRO program will be honored at the upcoming NASRO National School Safety Conference.
Phone scam
The Sheriff’s Office is warning the public of an ongoing phone scam involving allegations of missed jury duty.
Someone is calling people, and saying they are from the Sheriff’s Office – often using the name of real deputies — and are telling people that they need to pay a fine as a consequence of not showing up for jury duty. The callers then demand automatic payment via Bitcoin or some other electronic means.
The sheriff’s office is advising people to hang up if they receive one of these calls and not relay any personal financial information. If you think you have been victimized, please contact your local police agency.
Cop on a Rooftop
Members of local law enforcement will be taking to the rooftops of Dunkin’ Donuts locations across Lake County on May 15 for the annual fundraiser for Special Olympics.
The Cop on a Rooftop promotion encourages Dunkin’s customers to contribute to the charity via incentives and special deals.
The cops will be atop the donut stores from 5 a.m. to noon that Friday, so keep your eyes out and help support this worthy cause. Participating departments are promoting the event, so you can go to the Facebook page for your local agency for details.
Murder conviction
The saga of Yarianna Wheeler made headlines in the summer of 2021 when her body was pulled from the waters of Lake Michigan, about three miles southeast of Waukegan Harbor.
The pregnant Chicago woman, who was 19, was eventually identified after appeals to the public for assistance paid off. The man who was the father of Wheeler’s unborn child was eventually arrested for her murder.
The Lake County Sheriff’s Office recently reported that the man, Robert K. Drummond of Chicago, had been found guilty of Wheeler’s murder by a Cook County jury.
“The Lake County Sheriff’s Office extends its sincere appreciation to the public for their assistance in helping identify … (Wheeler). Your assistance helped restore her identity and ensured her story was not forgotten,” the department said in a social media post.
