River View resource officer helped by National Guard service
WARSAW − Justin Landerman said new recruits he works with through the U.S. Army National Guard aren't too far removed from the students he deals with daily as the resource officer for River View Local Schools. His objectives with both are similar − to help them achieve their goals in life and be the best they can be.
His office at River View High School features National Guard brochures and shelves with awards, certificates and memorabilia from his military service. He said these often catch the eye of students and he's talked to several about joining the armed forces.
Right out of high school, Landerman worked in the heating and cooling industry. He was laid off often as the seasons changed and work dried up. He wanted something steady where it felt like he was making a difference. While the 19-year-old couldn't join the police academy until he was 21, his ultimate desire, he decided to join the National Guard instead.
He never regretted it. While his grandfather served in the U.S. Navy, Landerman is the first of his family to embark on a lengthy military career. He's been in almost 11 years.
Landerman is currently a sergeant 1st class and did a tour of duty in Afghanistan. While overseas he also spent time in Germany and Kuwait. His specialty is air defense artillery. He's one of three Avenger Master Gunners in the state and is in charge of certifying others on the weapons system.
"Taking care of soldiers is my biggest thing. I love the camaraderie. It's like my other family almost," Landerman said.
He admits he probably wouldn't be a resource officer now at River View if it wasn't for his experience talking with and training teens.
"Most of the folks I'm talking to in training are 18- or 19-years-old, so not too far off from what I'm doing now at the school," Landerman said. "I never thought I'd be in this position, but I am and I think I'm good at this position because of my military service."
Landerman joined the Coshocton County Sheriff's Office in May, but has been a police officer about nine years. He's served with police departments in Zanesville, South Zanesville and Frazeysburg and was a security officer for Genesis Healthcare Systems. He's originally from Fultonham and graduated from Maysville High School.
River View added a resource officer just this school year and when the position came up, he jumped at it. Landerman's father, Tom, is the resource officer for Zanesville High School. He moved to Coshocton because his wife, Kylee, is a River View graduate and they live near the high school.
Landerman said he was surprised only one of three districts in Coshocton County had a resource officer before this year, as every school he ever attended had one.
"I was like, 'Why don't they have resource officers. They're very well utilized people,'" he said. "My dad told me if I ever had that opportunity, I should hop on it."
Along with generally working with the students at all the River View buildings, Landerman also works on truancy issues and is teaching a course on how to interact with law enforcement. It's a state-required class new this year for freshmen to seniors.
"I put myself in their shoes. I was a kid once and I understand the different things we have to deal with in life," he said of connecting to students. "At the same time, I have to develop my soldiers just like we have to develop these kids here. We have to use whatever life experiences we've had to better them."
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with close to 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: River View resource officer helped by National Guard service
