Barrow, 44, is the head of the school’s four-person police force.

With a sense of humor, he works to build relationships with students, knowing that will help if and when a tense situation arises.

Standing in the hallways day after day, Barrow jokes with students but turns strict with those who wander the halls or violate these school’s dress code. His goal, he says, is to get to know every kid at the school.

“It’s easy to get to know the troublemakers,” he said. “but the good kids have problems, too. They might need someone to talk to so I try to get to know them, too.”

An Army veteran with three sons, Barrow can sometimes be found after hours working out with the school’s football team.

His job goes beyond policing. In many ways he is a unofficial social worker, helping students deal with personal problems and offering advice.

“I love every one of these kids,” he said. “Even the bad ones.”

— Matthew Tully