The Sherman Independent School District Police Department has been honored with the 2026 Statewide School Safety Spotlight Award. The recognition was granted for a collaborative initiative designed to improve emergency reunification processes across Grayson County. Sherman is located approximately 9 miles southwest of Denison.
Chief Heath Wester accepted the award on behalf of all 13 school districts within Grayson County. The program originated from a district-wide training exercise conducted last year. That initial effort focused on establishing protocols for reuniting students with their families during a crisis. The positive response from local schools and agencies encouraged the expansion of the program to cover the entire county.
Wester stated that the department prioritizes the rapid return of students to their parents during emergencies. He noted that the availability of such resources is intended to provide peace of mind to families in the area. The expanded team includes personnel from various sectors, including law enforcement, school faculty, bus drivers, and maintenance staff. Wester described the operation as a complex coordination of many different roles working together.
Sarah Somers, director of the Grayson County Office of Emergency Management, praised the leadership shown by Wester and the district. She described the initiative as a strategic move that strengthened the entire county. Somers indicated that while no one anticipates needing these specific protocols, the preparation could be critical when time is of the essence.
The award highlights the success of the cross-agency cooperation model. It acknowledges the shift from isolated district efforts to a unified county-wide approach. The department continues to refine these procedures in hopes that they remain unused but are ready for immediate deployment if necessary.
