‘That’s my SRO’: Mount Prospect School Resource Office earns state honors
Tyler Johnson had fewer than 50 classmates when he attended Calhoun County High School in Hardin, Illinois.
Today, Johnson spends his days at Prospect High School, with a population of roughly 2,300.
As a Mount Prospect Police School Resource Officer, Johnson affects the lives of every student. And in many ways, they affect his. He will hear some of them say, “That’s my SRO.”
After just more than two years on the job, Johnson has earned the respect of staff as well as students. He received the Illinois Juvenile Officers Association 2026 Juvenile Officer of the Year award based on multiple high school staff nominations.
“Tyler embodies what it means to be an SRO,” Prospect High School Principal Greg Minter said.
Minter said Johnson maintains a constant presence and builds relationships — when situations require it, he visits homes at all hours of the day and night to make sure students and staff are safe.
Johnson said he enjoys the recognition.
On the other hand, “There’s a part of me that has a little impostor syndrome. Why me?”
One part of the answer is his enthusiasm for his job. He said he wanted to be a police officer after being inspired by a deputy sheriff cousin and a friend’s father who was a conservation officer.
He grew up in modest circumstances in a large family, the son of a roofer and a bank loan officer mom. He received degrees from Western Illinois University in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration and Kinesiology and Exercise — both degrees turned out to be relevant to his current job.
“You’re telling me I get to work in a school with kids and I get to be a cop? It’s like the best of both worlds,” he said. “This has been one of the most selfishly fulfilling things I’ve ever done in my entire life.
Johnson joined the Mount Prospect force seven years ago, after working security at Arlington International Racecourse.
Today, he is embedded in his environment, on constant Knight duty. He is present in the lunchroom for about three hours daily. He attends every home football and other sporting events.
He also participates in the Solution Findings Team meeting with department heads, counselors, the psych team, deans and associate principals.
In addition, he speaks to health classes about drugs, alcohol and law enforcement, and oversees the peer jury program that adjudicates students offenses.
Johnson operates on a “honey over vinegar” approach to his job. He said 99% of the cases can be handled by simply saying “sorry.”
He has also learned, “(Kids) are much smarter than you give them credit for. They are watching everything you do.”
His work is appreciated by police Chief Mike Eterno.
“His dedication to the students and staff at Prospect High School goes far beyond just keeping the halls safe. He is a trusted mentor, a positive role model, and a daily advocate for the youth in our community,” he said.
Johnson said he hopes to make sergeant someday.
“I want to keep growing. But also the next 10 years, I want to take time to just appreciate where I'm at.”