SHSD161 welcomes Will County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer (SRO) Deputy Justin Farkas to our school community! Deputy Farkas was approved by the SHSD161 Board of Education at its September meeting.
Deputy Farkas comes to our district with 17 years of law enforcement experience, serving as a Will County Sheriff’s Deputy since 2023. He has experience in conflict resolution, community resources, and crime prevention and is well-versed in de-escalation techniques, safety drills, and youth outreach programs. He is committed to serving as a mentor and resource for young people and is excited for the opportunity to combine his law enforcement background with his dedication to youth engagement, not only protecting our students but also inspiring them to make safe and responsible choices.
In addition, Deputy Farkas has spent time shadowing the SRO teams at Lincoln-Way 210 and in Homer 33C and will fully integrate into SHSD161 by October 1st.
Our district’s top priority remains creating a safe, supportive, and trusting environment where all students can focus on learning and all staff members can feel safe doing their life’s work. Introducing an SRO position to our district aligns with our commitment to comprehensive student safety—not just in crises but ingrained in day-to-day school life. SROs do so much more than handle enforcement and emergencies—they also function as mentors, educators, and informal counselors.
The purpose of the position is to support our district’s well-being by enhancing everyday safety and trust; responding to parent, staff, and student safety concerns; and building positive relationships throughout our school community. An SRO presence will also encourage open communication between students, staff, and law enforcement.
Welcome Deputy Farkas!