At last Sunday's Clinton High School graduation, Clinton Police's school resource officer Mike Bennett received a rousing ovation as he was honored for his years of service to the Clinton community and school district.

Officer Bennett worked his final shift last week and he calls the roughly 2100 students in the district his kids and when something happens to one of them, it impacts him like he's their parent.

Officer Bennett says the things kids are going through today are similar to what anyone who has been a kid went through. He points out, the obvious difference for many today is the fact technology plays a huge role in the challenges in kid's life in 2023.

Kids can cope with so much more than we know. That's what Officer Bennett believes but he also says families and the community need to be there for our kids. This isn't a journey they should be making on their own.

Clinton Police Chief Ben Lowers has a long-time relationship with Officer Bennet, in fact, he was the field training officer for Clinton's Chief of Police when he was a young officer on the force many years ago.

According to Chief Lowers, Officer Bennett became instrumental in his goal to revamp the school's presence in the school system and connect with the community's youth.

This Wednesday, May 31, there will be an open house for Officer Bennett at the Clinton High School library from 4 pm to 6 pm.