School Resource Officer / Welcome

Deputy Gary Ace

School Resource Officer

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office

E-Mail: Gary.Ace@Loudoun.Gov

Phone:  571-528-1684

Deputy Ace began his career with the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and as a recruit, he was his academy class President. He served as a patrol deputy in all parts of Loudoun County and was selected to be an SRO in April of 2016. Before becoming a Loudoun County Sheriff’s deputy, he served in the US Army for over 24 years in various command and staff positions throughout the world as an airborne-ranger qualified infantryman. While in the military, Deputy Ace earned a Master of Science Degree in Management from Troy State University. During the period of 2008-2013, he took a break in his service from the Sheriff’s Office to perform the duties of Senior Manager with Lockheed Martin and he deployed to Iraq in support of US Army forces in the forward deployed combat zone. During Deputy Ace’s time with Lockheed Martin, he earned a green belt in the Lean Six Sigma efficiency and effectiveness improvement process. Deputy Ace volunteered to become an SRO because he wants to encourage kids to make good decisions and to proactively help them understand the consequences of their choices. Deputy Ace and his wife are very proud of their three boys who graduated from Briar Woods High School, and then one went on to graduate from UVA, one graduated from JMU, and his youngest son graduated from Virginia Tech and is now an Officer in the United States Marine Corps. Deputy Ace is a proud sponsor of The Justice Club! Visit the JUSTICE CLUB webpage for more information about the club.

The SRO’s Roles are;
- Law enforcement officer,
- Law-related educator, and
- Informal mentor / role model.

The main Goals of the SRO Program are;
- To create and maintain a safe and secure school environment.
- Increase positive attitudes toward law enforcement.
- To teach the value of our legal system and the DARE curriculum.
- Promote respect for people and property.
- To administer the Project Lifesaver program.
- Reduce youth delinquency by helping students formulate an awareness of rules, authority, and justice.

SRO additional duties:
In addition to performing the duties of SRO at Farmwell Station Middle School, Deputy Ace is responsible for three clients in the Project Lifesaver Program, he teaches both the 5^th and 6^th Grade DARE curriculum, and performs the duties of SRO at Steuart Weller, Ashburn, and Dominion Trail Elementary Schools. He also frequently provides SRO coverage at Broad Run and other High Schools, when needed.

Resources to help Prevent or Resolve youth problems:

Emergency Mental Health Services (24/7): 703-777-0320

Mental Health Services: 703-771-5100  Call for help, if you or someone you care about is affected by:
- Depression or anxiety
- Relationship problems with parents, friends, or family members
- Thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- Alcohol or substance abuse problems

"I Hate You!" These are words you never dreamed you'd hear from your own child. You are not alone. There is help. Are you experiencing any of the following extreme behavior problems with your teen? The Loudoun Family Connections program will give you the tools to take charge of your home again.

- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Failing grades
- Running away
- Severe disrespect
- Suicidal thoughts
- Truancy
- Violence

Contact FAMILY CONNECTIONS for help.

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES:

MENTAL HEALTH:

- YOUTH SUICIDE WARNING SIGNS

- TEEN SUICIDE PREVENTION

- MENTAL HEALTH S ERVICES & PARTNERS

- MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES BROCHURE

- MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PAMPHLET

- LOUDOUN COUNTY CRISIS INTERVENTION TEAM (CIT): 703-777-0320 (24/7)

- FREE VIC TIM SERVICES: LEGAL, COUNSELING, and MEDICAL 703-777-6552 (24/7)

JUVENILE PROBLEMS:

- BULLYING
- INTERNET SAFETY
- STUDENT ASSISTANCE



RESOURCES FOR PARENTS:
- THE DANGERS OF VAPING (Video)

- Internet Safety for Parents
- E-CIGARETTE RISKS (CDC)
- VAPING RISKS (CDC)
- VAPING: What parents need to know
- WAIT 21 (Video)
- TOBACCO and VAPING RESOURCES
- RESOURCES FOR PARENTS OF TROUBLED YOUTH
- CHASING THE DRAGON: Opioid Addiction
- GROWING UP DRUG FREE: A Parents Guide to Prevention
- DRUGS, BRAINS, AND BEHAVIOR: The Science of Addiction

RESOURCES FOR TEENS:
- DATING ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: 1-866-331-9474

- NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE: 1-800-656-4673

- CRISIS TEXT LINE: TEXT SUPPORT to 741-741

- NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE: 1-800-799-7233

SAFETY AND SECURITY:
- FBI: "R UN-HIDE-FIGHT" VIDEO
- DHS: ACTIVE SHOOTER PREPAREDNESS VIDEO
- ABDUCTION PREVENTION
- Student Co nduct Policy (Virginia DOE)

- LCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities (2020-2021)
- Acts required to be reported to school officials and law enf orcement (VA CODE 22.1-279.3:1)

LOUDOUN COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE RESOURCES:
- REPORT A CRIME
- TRAFFIC COMPLAINT FORM
- ANONYMOUS TIPS: 703-777-1919

- MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) BETWEEN LCSO & LCPS (2015)

PROJECT LIFESAVER:
- PLS APPLICATION
- PLS BROCHURE