Scott Wilburn has served as Caston School Corp.’s school resource officer since 2018. He said “interaction with the kids” is the most rewarding part of his job. InkFreeNews photo by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

FULTON — Scott Wilburn said “interaction with the kids” is the most rewarding part of his being Caston School Corp.’s school resource officer.

He likes “being able to see changes, like they’ll come talk to me about things that they may not want to talk to a teacher or principal about.”

“It’s very rewarding being able to help them that way,” he said.

Wilburn, a Fulton County Sheriff’s deputy, has been Caston’s SRO since 2018. He’s the only one the corporation’s had thus far.

He’s from Rochester, growing up there, and graduating from Rochester Community High School.

Wilburn deemed entering law enforcement “a good career opportunity” for him.

“I had family members that were in law enforcement, and I thought I’d try, and it’s worked out well since,” he said.

Wilburn went to the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in 2007. He has worked in law enforcement for 17 years, first with the Rochester Police Department, then with the FCSO for the last 11 years.

He said being SRO has allowed him to spend more time with his family as he worked nights for the sheriff’s office previously.

“I wasn’t seeing my wife (Leslie) really or my (three) kids very much,” said Wilburn.

He and Leslie mark their 20th anniversary this month.

As SRO, Wilburn’s tasks naturally include security ones, as well as helping teach classes on topics like bullying.

Although interacting with kids is the best part of his job, Wilburn said a difficulty is building trust with them.

“Creating that connection with the kids where they trust me and they see me in a good way, not necessarily in a bad way (as a police officer is a challenge),” he said.

Wilburn said he would encourage other officers to become SROs as they can see positive changes more easily than when working a regular shift.

“As a regular road officer, you don’t see the change as much as you do here when you’re working with kids,” he said.