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CAWACO RC&D

Improving Communities in Central Alabama

Three Walker County Sheriff's Office personnel in uniform pose outside the Walker County Courthouse brick entrance, with a deputy in the center holding an red-handled breaching tool from a tactical backpack kit.

Enhancing School Safety: Walker County’s Tactical Entry Tool Kits

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Safety in our schools is a top priority, and Walker County is taking proactive steps to ensure their school resource officers (SROs) have the tools needed to respond quickly and effectively in emergency situations.

A group of nine people including school resource officers, county officials, and community representatives pose with a ceremonial check for $5,000 from Cawaco RC&D to the Walker County Commission, dated August 14, 2025, with an American flag visible in the background.
Representatives from The Walker County School System, Walker County Commission, Walker County Sheriff’s Department, Cawaco RC&D, and Rep. Tim Wadsworth came together to celebrate the success of the project

In partnership with the Walker County Legislative Delegation, Cawaco RC&D awarded a grant to the Walker County Commission to equip every SRO in the county with tactical backpack entry tool kits. These specialized kits contain essential breaching tools including sledgehammers, pry bars, and bolt cutters – all designed to help SROs gain fast entry into locked areas during school emergencies.

  • A smiling female school resource officer poses outside against a brick wall while wearing her tactical backpack containing orange-handled emergency entry tools over her uniform vest.
    Carbon Hill SRO Amy Garrison
  • Close-up view of a tactical backpack on brick pavement displaying organized breaching tools including a red sledgehammer and orange-handled pry bars in specialized pouches, with hands demonstrating the storage system.
    Each SRO in Walker County received a backpack tool kit

Equipping Walker County Schools

The 15 tactical backpack kits have already been distributed to SROs across Walker County’s school system, ensuring each officer has immediate access to these critical tools.

Amy Garrison, Carbon Hill SRO, and Nick Smith, Walker County Sheriff, demonstrated how the equipment works – from wedging doors open to cutting through chains that might be used to secure building entrances during an emergency.

  • A school resource officer in tactical vest demonstrates the contents of a black tactical backpack containing orange and red-handled breaching tools, laying it across a leather chair in a courthouse meeting room while officials observe.
    Carbon Hill SRO Amy Garrison explains the tools in the backpack
  • Two law enforcement officers demonstrate proper handling of breaching tools with black and red handles near an "Employees Only" door in a wood-paneled hallway.
    Garrison and Sheriff Nick Smith demonstrate how to use the tools to breach a door

The kits are thoughtfully designed as backpacks, making them portable and effective. While the weight is substantial—as Dr. Dennis Willingham, Superintendent at the Walker County Board of Education, discovered when trying one on—the tools are essential for rapid response situations where every second counts.

Superintendant Willingham in a purple dress shirt and plaid tie speaks while wearing the tactical backpack
Superintendent Dennis Willingham tries on the tactical backpack, which has a decent heft to it.

Community Partnership at Work

“Protecting our children is a huge priority for me. I appreciate the Walker County Sheriff’s Office and Cawaco RC&D for providing the resources to obtain tools our law enforcement officers can use to access schools that may be compromised during an emergency situation,” said Sen. Matt Woods. “I was happy to support this grant and will continue to look for ways to improve school safety.”

“Supporting our School Resource Officers with the right training, equipment, and tools is essential for protecting our students and your children,” said Rep. Tim Wadsworth. “The backpack equipment is a start. We look forward to continued support.”

Rep. Tim Wadsworth in a white dress shirt gestures while speaking to a group in a courthouse meeting room, with another official in a green striped polo shirt standing behind him
Rep. Tim Wadsworth addresses the group at the event

Safety Starts with Preparation

While no one wants to think about emergency situations in schools, being prepared is critical. These tactical entry kits give SROs the confidence and capability to respond effectively if needed. As Officer Garrison noted, so far, the bolt cutters have only been used to help students who’ve forgotten their locker combinations—and hopefully, that’s all they’ll ever be needed for.

The investment in these tools reflects a broader commitment to school safety that extends beyond just equipment to the people who dedicate their careers to protecting our students and communities.

Three Walker County Sheriff's Office personnel in uniform pose outside the Walker County Courthouse brick entrance, with a deputy in the center holding an red-handled breaching tool from a tactical backpack kit.
Nick Smith, Walker County Sheriff; Amy Garrison, Carbon Hill SRO; and Tony Reid, Captain pose outside of the Walker County Courthouse

“Every year, Cawaco, somehow, someway, is helping the Walker County school system and it’s helping our children,” noted Superintendent Willingham.

This grant represents just one of many ways Cawaco RC&D works to strengthen rural communities across our region. When local leaders identify needs and present solutions, we’re proud to provide the funding that makes these vital projects possible.