With a warm smile and a burst of energy, Sergeant Byron Mitchell stands in Coppell High School’s main hallway greeting students with enthusiasm for a positive start to each morning.
Sgt. Mitchell serves as a Coppell ISD district-wide student resource officer (SRO), dedicated not only to keeping schools safe but also to mentoring students on a variety of topics.
“Being an SRO goes beyond just safety and security,” Sgt. Mitchell said. “It’s about being a mentor, someone students can trust and talk to about life and legal matters. I get so many questions from driving tips to even dating advice.”
Coppell SRO Reggie Walker works alongside Sgt. Mitchell at CHS and consistently observes his ability to connect with students.
“The first thing that comes to mind about Sgt. Mitchell is his smile and love for the kids,” Walker said. “Whenever I see him interacting with kids in the hallway, he is always enthusiastic and smiling.”
When not on the job, Sgt. Mitchell is staying active in the community through his children: Coppell Middle School East eighth grade student Brody Mitchell and senior Brock Mitchell.
“He is a fantastic dad who always supports his kids and loves sports and athletics,” counselor Ann Cinelli said. “You can always see him around Coppell at games as a police officer and as a dad. I think it’s amazing to be able to see him wear both hats – it gives you an inside as to who he really is.”
Living in Coppell with children who attend schools in the district, Sgt. Mitchell connects to residents in the community.
“Being present is a big part of creating relationships with students whether it be at games or school-related events,” Sgt. Mitchell said. “I have the benefit of living in this town so they see me as a father. They know what I do for a living but can also see that I am just a human, not a robot which gives them a different level of respect for me and the interactions outside of school as well.”
Being a mentor is a big part of his role, however, Sgt. Mitchell also plays a key part in keeping the campus safe. His ability to connect with students allows him to understand and advise them to keep Coppell safe.
“It’s about being very empathetic; you’re dealing with mostly teenagers or youth who think on a different level, so you got to have that balance, and you got to switch gears from the outside because of the difference in mentality,” Sgt. Mitchell said. “I can’t forget that I have certain life experiences that this teenager or the student doesn’t. I try to keep that in mind when students come to me for help on all different topics so that I don’t overstep and expect them to know certain things when they’re still learning about life.”
No matter the situation or time Sgt. Mitchell makes a point to stop and talk to students even if it’s as simple as a greeting.
“Whenever I see Officer Mitchell in the hallways, we say ‘Hi’ and even if he needs to be somewhere, he stops and talks to me,” sophomore Mallory Cooper said. “He has a great personality and is hilarious; he knows how to make someone’s day and is overall an amazing person to talk to.”
Nonetheless, balancing work and personal life can be a challenge for police officers.
“He is a very well-balanced person, the way he approaches his home and work life,” Coppell safety and security coordinator Greg Alexander said. “He knows how to help people and help direct them to meet their goals.”
Outside of being an SRO, Sgt. Mitchell is dedicated to leading a healthy lifestyle. Walker states how whenever Mitchell is working out at 24 Hour Fitness, students often come up to ask him questions about various workouts or protein powders he uses, displaying how much the students trust him, knowing he will not misguide them.
“Being an SRO is great because my kids go to school in the district, so I am driven to be the best I can be for them as well as for the students of the CISD,” Sgt. Mitchell said. “This job helps make me better, and I want to do the best I can and that’s the way it impacts me too, to grow and to learn as much as I can to benefit those around me.”
