Fauquier County Public Schools (FCPS) has announced that it maintains an armed school security officer (SSO) in every school each day, making it the only division in Virginia to do so.
According to FCPS, the armed SSO program was established in 2018 following the Parkland school shooting to address a gap in school safety. The initiative was founded by former Superintendent David Jeck along with retired law enforcement leaders Salvatore “Sal” Torelli and Franz Mahler. It has since become a model for other districts. All SSOs are retired officers with extensive experience, collectively contributing over 500 years of service. Unlike school resource officers, SSOs are employed directly by the schools, allowing them to respond quickly to incidents while remaining embedded in the school community as mentors and trusted adults.
Mahler said, “Parents should know—every one of us is certified, continually trained and prepared.” He added that parents can be assured there is someone at the school who would do whatever it takes to protect their children.
The SSOs engage with students and families beyond their security duties by building relationships and trust through mentoring and routine interactions. Officers like George Southard at Ritchie Elementary and Mahler at Fauquier High develop meaningful connections, from celebrating birthdays to creating safety drills that feel approachable. Ongoing training ensures SSOs maintain skills in tactical medicine, mental health crisis response, Narcan administration, and youth driving safety. This reinforces the program’s dual focus on protection and community engagement within every school.
Fauquier County Public Schools serves a primarily rural area of about 650 square miles near Washington, D.C., and Richmond, with a population of around 68,000. FCPS operates 11 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, 3 high schools, and 1 alternative learning school. The district’s mission is to develop creative, confident, and knowledgeable citizens who are globally competitive by cultivating all learners’ potential. Governed by a five-member School Board under Superintendent Dr. Major Warner, FCPS follows Virginia statutes and Board of Education regulations to set policies that support student success.
