Canyon County Deputy Earns National School Resource Officer of the Year Award in Idaho
NAMPA, Idaho — A Canyon County Sheriff’s Office deputy assigned to Vallivue Middle School has been named the 2026 recipient of one of the most prestigious honors in school-based law enforcement. Deputy Darr Anderson, a school resource officer in the Vallivue School District, will receive the Floyd Ledbetter National School Resource Officer of the Year Award from the National Association of School Resource Officers (NASRO), the organization announced Monday.
Background: A Creative Approach to Community Policing
Anderson’s recognition stems in large part from a community-minded initiative he launched called Deputy Darr’s Donut Shop. According to NASRO, the shop sells donuts once a month, with proceeds directed to the school’s SRO goodwill fund. Since opening, the donut shop has raised more than $20,000 — a figure that has drawn attention far beyond Canyon County.
The effort reflects the kind of grassroots, community-driven policing that law enforcement advocates point to as a model for building trust between officers and the families they serve. Rather than relying on government spending or top-down programs, Anderson’s initiative used free enterprise and personal effort to fund meaningful outreach for Vallivue Middle School students.
NASRO Recognition: Why This Canyon County Deputy Stood Out
NASRO Executive Director Mo Canady praised Anderson’s initiative in the release announcing the award, noting that the donut shop “incentivized positive student behavior and created a safe environment for students to interact with law enforcement.” Canady also highlighted that Anderson regularly used funds raised through the initiative to purchase challenge coins, which are awarded to students for good behavior, and to strengthen education around topics such as the dangers of drug use.
The Floyd Ledbetter National School Resource Officer of the Year Award is among the highest honors bestowed by NASRO, the leading professional organization for school-based law enforcement in the United States. Being named the national recipient reflects not only Anderson’s day-to-day work at Vallivue Middle School but his demonstrated commitment to going beyond the badge in service to students and families in the Treasure Valley.
The Canyon County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Anderson’s selection, and his story has drawn coverage from local and regional outlets across Idaho. For additional statewide coverage of law enforcement and public safety topics, visit Idaho News.
Impact on Canyon County Residents
For families in the Vallivue School District — and across Canyon County — Anderson’s award is a source of community pride. School resource officers play a critical role in keeping campuses safe while also serving as a bridge between students and law enforcement. Anderson’s approach demonstrates that those relationships can be built through consistency, creativity, and genuine investment in young people.
The $20,000-plus raised through Deputy Darr’s Donut Shop represents real resources directed back into the school community, funded not by taxpayers but by the enthusiasm of students, parents, and staff who participated month after month. Challenge coins recognizing good behavior and drug awareness education are the tangible results — outcomes that reflect the values Canyon County families hold dear.
Canyon County continues to grow rapidly, with new families settling in communities like Nampa, Caldwell, and Middleton each year. As school populations expand, the role of school resource officers becomes increasingly important. Anderson’s recognition puts the county’s law enforcement community in a national spotlight at a time when that visibility matters. Earlier this year, Canyon County made headlines for other reasons as well, including a house fire at a state legislator’s Caldwell home that drew community support from across the region.
What Comes Next
Deputy Anderson will formally receive the Floyd Ledbetter National School Resource Officer of the Year Award at a ceremony scheduled for June 29 during the National School Safety Conference in Reno, Nevada. The event brings together school safety professionals from across the country and serves as one of the premier gatherings of its kind in the nation.
Residents looking to learn more about the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office or the Vallivue School District’s SRO program can contact those organizations directly. Deputy Darr’s Donut Shop continues to operate monthly at Vallivue Middle School.