Officer Daryle Ryan stands with his back against the police headquarters as he observes students hurry by during the passing period. Silently he watches, ensuring all that all who pass by do so safely.
Officer Ryan works as one of the two police officers on campus along with Officer Bryan McMillan since 2013. He also works as a Field Training Officer for MISD, training new officers for the school district. Officer McMillan will only stay for the two weeks training before moving on to complete the next four weeks of training. Officer McMillan worked for Arlington Police Department and as a constable for Hill County for 25 years before deciding to work for the school district.
“Most school officers are retired from a police department,” Officer Ryan said. “They do this as a second career.”
Before employed by MISD, Officer Ryan’s first job was working as a military police officer at an Air Force base for four years. He was stationed in the Philippines and in Abilene. He left the military and began working for the San Antonio Police Department. Officer Ryan worked there for eight years before it became too much.
“I needed a break,” Officer Ryan said.
Officer Ryan enjoyed his time working for San Antonio PD, but decided to find work elsewhere to give himself a reprieve.
“I knew it was time to get out,” Officer Ryan said. “It’s hard to put on a bullet proof vest everyday to do something you don’t love.”
He then became the store manager of a Home Depot for thirteen years. The job was suppose to be temporary, but he quickly rose through the ranks and found it was a good place for him, before moving with his family to Mansfield.
“We have family in Mansfield, so we moved to be closer to them,” Officer Ryan said. “My father lives here and so does my father in law, who is battling cancer.”
The move to Mansfield brought about a new employment opportunity for Officer Ryan.
“I wanted to get back into law enforcement,” said Officer Ryan, “and I always liked working with kids.”
Officer Ryan entered training to regain his peace officer certification, and in 2013 Officer Ryan began working as a police officer at Legacy High School. The weirdest thing Officer Ryan says he has seen at Legacy was the change in attitude students display toward staff. Something as simple as disrespecting an AP, when they tell a student to put on their ID.
“When I was a kid I would never treat any adult that way.” Officer Ryan said, “It was surprising, there was more respect for teachers when I was a kid.”
Officer Ryan grew up under the influence of Texas law enforcement from his family. His father served as a Texas Highway Patrol Officer and a Texas Ranger. He agreed that it was his father’s influence that led him to where he is now. When he went to visit his father in the summers, he could spend the most time with him by going to work with him.
“I went with him on patrols,” Officer Ryan said, “I rode around with him and watched him do stuff.”
His father took care of serious crimes like investigating murders, and hunting down suspects. Officer Ryan couldn’t go everywhere his father went. While his father was in the interrogation room Officer Ryan would sit in another room, away from his father but still with other law enforcement personnel.
Officer Ryan says he has enjoyed the time he has spent at Legacy. Growing up he always thought he would become a teacher or coach. So working as an officer at a school gives him the opportunity to still be around students.
“After all the school shootings, I felt that God was directing me back here.” Officer Ryan said, “and I still get the opportunity to do police work, but it’s much more laid back.”
