Current School Resource Officers

Current School Resource Officers

Sergeant Pat Yokovich

Sergeant Yokovich is assigned full-time at Valparaiso High School. A full-time presence inside the schools is a large reason students and faculty openly communicate with the police department. Open communication provides trust in law enforcement, security in the schools, and a friend to many of the students that have attended the schools. Sgt. Yokovich was assigned to the position of School Resource Officer in the summer of 2022. He is a 15 year veteran of the Valparaiso Police Department and has worked closely with high school personnel and students for numerous years. Prior to this assignment, Sgt. Yokovich was a field training officer and he continues to instruct Physical Tactics at the police department.

Officer Shannon Morris                                                               Officer Rob Fisher

Officer Morris was assigned to the position of School Resource Officer in 2018 and is a 21 year veteran with the department. Prior to becoming an SRO, he served in the patrol division as a field training coordinator/officer and general instructor. In the Investigations Division, he also served as a detective. Officer Morris coordinates the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) program in grades K-5 at six of the Valparaiso Community Schools elementary buildings. He also assists with safety planning and drills and presentations on a variety of safety related topics.

Officer Fisher was assigned to the schools in 2020 and is a 25 year veteran with the department. Prior to his assignment as SRO, Officer Fisher was a Field Training Officer, an Evidence Tech, a member of the Honor Guard, and served as FOP President. He also coordinates the D.A.R.E. program, which he instructs at Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Memorial Elementary School.

Safety Awareness

Sergeant Yokovich, Officer Morris, and Officer Fisher are certified School Safety Specialists, who attend school staff meetings and work with outside agencies, such as Porter County Juvenile Probation and the Department of Child Services. They assist with emergency drills and provide many presentations to students in the school system on a variety of topics. Those topics range from bullying, internet safety, alcohol and drug abuse resistance, the dangers of underage drinking and smoking/vaping, to the positive interactions concerning decision making, problem solving, and the consequences. Students and staff are frequently reminded and informed of safety concerns that occur throughout the school year with an emphasis on crime prevention and injury reduction.

More Information

Sergeant Yokovich- Valparaiso High School  219.531.3070

Officer Morris- Thomas Jefferson Middle School  219.531.3140

Officer Fisher- Benjamin Franklin Middle School  219.531.3020