By Tom Blodgett
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For the second consecutive year, a Gilbert Police Department school resource officer  has been recognized as a recipient of the National Association of School Resource Officers  Exceptional Service Award.

Officer Ryan Matheson, SRO at Cooley Middle School, was selected as the Region 7 winner, representing Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. Last year, NASRO honored GPD's Officer John Kramer for his work at Payne Junior High School.

Each year, NASRO honors one officer from each of its 10 regions who has demonstrated continuous and sustained service to their school community above and beyond the expectations of an SRO.

Matheson has served with the Gilbert Police Department for six years, three as an SRO between two schools, Mesquite Junior High School and his current assignment at Cooley Middle School.

However, Matheson’s passion for working with students started long before his law enforcement career. Prior to becoming a police officer, he spent 16 years as a health and physical education teacher in elementary and middle schools.

“During my time as a school resource officer and as a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how I can positively impact a teenager’s life,” Matheson said. “Each student experiences life differently, and my goal is to support them in a way that helps them succeed. Witnessing their growth and achievements is truly rewarding.”

 Beyond ensuring the safety of the school campus, Matheson prioritizes relationship-building, greeting students at the entrance each morning, walking the halls during passing periods, and hosting engaging classroom activities.

“I believe being proactive and visible is key to building trust between students and law enforcement,” Matheson said. “I make it a point to interact with students daily, asking about their day, their weekend, their sports events, concerts and families. Taking a genuine interest in their lives lets them know that their School Resource Officer is here to support and encourage them.”

Matheson will formally accept his award at the 2025 NASRO School Safety Conference in Grapevine, Texas, this July. 

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert

tblodgett@iniusa.org

Meet Tom
Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.

Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.

Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism. 

Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.  

Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).