Brownfield ISD School Resource Officer Zach Nettle will wrap up nearly three years as an SRO with the District the end of this month. Zach is leaving the District for a similar position at Mansfield ISD.
“My wife and I are looking at starting a family, and we wanted to get back in the area close to where our families live,” stated Zach.
He graduated from Monterey High School in 2014 and went into the medical industry, which is where he met his wife, Emily who was in nursing school at the time. He then began training at the Police Academy. “My thought was that I would just be a regular policeman. I was looking at possibly the Idalou Police Department.” But, life took a different path.
“I knew Alan Nelson, BISD Chief SRO, from working with Boys Scouts in Lubbock. He was the Shooting Sports Director and I was working with rock climbing with the Scouts.” Alan told Zach that BISD was looking at hiring another officer.
“I actually ended up with the job at Brownfield before I had graduated from the Academy. Alan had watched my work with the Scouts and felt like I was someone who would work well with students in an SRO position. I interviewed and got the job.” Kelly Baggett was the interim Superintendent who hired Zach.
“I walked into his office for the interview and sat there with a stern look and kept his hands folded. I wasn’t really sure how the interview was going,” stated Zach. Apparently, the interview went well, because Zach was offered the job, which he gladly accepted.
Zach stated that he has certainly enjoyed his time in Brownfield. “The school and the community just made us feel at home from day one. We have felt like we were a part of the community from the beginning. It is hard to think about leaving.”
One of the things of which Zach is most proud is the Shattered Dreams event held in 2019. “That was a great event and it took the entire community to pull it off. Everyone working together made it a huge success. The plan then was to do it every three years, so hopefully, next year the community will see another one.”
Seeing the school district and the City Police Department working together so well is another thing that Zach says has made his job great. “They just work together so well. Credit to BISD Superintendent Chris Smith and to Police Chief Tony Serbantez for how well these two work together.”
One troubling thing that Zach has seen in his time in Brownfield is a rise in suicides. “One is too many, but we have had so many during my time here. This is just heartbreaking to me. Kids need to know there is always someone they can reach out to. And kids and adults alike need to be aware of others in their lives and be alert to changes in mood or behavior.”
Zach stated BISD has implemented several programs for reporting changes in behavior and concerns about others. “There is a report form at brownfieldisd.net which is totally anonymous. There are also mental health crisis hotlines, as well as just calling 911. Every campus has mental health programs. But you have to be paying attention to those around you to know to reach out. My plea would be don’t let another one die in this community by suicide. Reach out to others and be aware of changes.”
Zach also mentioned how proud he was of BISD for the way they handled the shutdown during the pandemic. “We were feeding kids. Teachers were checking on kids. The community was reaching out. I feel like everyone at BISD and in this community did an awesome job of dealing with all that was going on during the pandemic.”
Another thing that Zach became involved with was the video production team at BISD. As sporting events began to be streamed, Zach worked with students to develop a video production team. “This was a great experience for me. I had some video production experience so I was willing to help out and it just turned into a fantastic experience for me and for the kids. I look for this program to really grow.”
In closing, Zach had high praise for the Administrators of BISD. “From Mr. Smith to all the others, this district is creating outstanding citizens. Kids are being held accountable and they are responding to that. The faculty and staff totally support the mission of the Administration. I would have to give high praise to Mr. Smith for the change we have seen in culture in this district. He has just been the greatest to work for, as has everyone in the district. I think the involvement of the community in the lives of our kids and the kids involvement out in the community points right straight back to the administration and the culture they are working hard to create.”
Superintendent Chris Smith stated, “Zach has done a great job for BISD. Not only did he serve as an officer, but he was a mentor to students, as well. We wish him the very best in his career.”
Zach also wanted to offer his thanks to the Board of Trustees and to the Brownfield Police Department. “I could not have asked for anything more from a district or a community. Everyone has been so supportive and been willing to always work together.”
Zach and Emily, and their fur babies Bella and Jesse, will be leaving the district on April 5.
Thank you to Zach for all he has done for BISD and the entire community. Zach, you have truly made a difference!
