BEND, Ore. The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday that it is adding a fourth school resource deputy as part of Sheriff Ty Rupert’s operational plan and ongoing discussions with command staff and community partners.

The position was posted last Thursday, but out of respect for affected families who held memorial services Friday and Saturday, Rupert delayed making a public announcement until Monday, DCSO Public Information Officer Jason Carr said in a news release.

In response to the recent tragedy at Silver Rail Elementary School, Sheriff Rupert has authorized an additional SRD position dedicated to serving county schools.

"This expansion underscores the sheriff’s office’s commitment to maintaining a strong, coordinated law-enforcement presence in local schools and supporting partner districts during critical incidents," the announcement said.

Rupert said: “Our schools must remain safe places for students to learn and grow. Expanding our school resource deputy program strengthens our partnership with local districts and reinforces our commitment to protecting children, staff and families throughout Deschutes County.”

Here's the rest of the news release:

An experienced deputy who previously served as an SRD has been temporarily assigned to provide interim school coverage until a new deputy is hired.

The SRD position is now posted internally, and the deputy selected will be assigned to an area that best fits the needs of the team and our schools.

Adding an additional SRD enhances the Sheriff’s Office’s ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to threats in local schools while providing a visible and trusted law‑enforcement presence for students, staff, and families.

“I want to acknowledge the fears and expectations of families who are asking for full-time SRDs in every school, and today’s action is one step forward,” Rupert said.

“Protecting our entire county is critical, and our schools have become an even higher priority following this tragedy. I’ll continue partnering with Bend‑La Pine Schools and our community to build on our SRD program that helps better protect our children.”

The Sheriff’s Office currently has three full‑time SRDs serving schools in Sisters, La Pine, Terrebonne, Tumalo, Bend's Buckingham Elementary, Realms Middle School, and Sunriver's Three Rivers School. Adding this new position will bring the team to four deputies, and the Rupert said the sheriff’s office will continue working on future plans to further expand the SRD program.