Vale School District SRO issues letter to community

By Logan Bagett on Thursday, September 10th, 2026 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories

VALE — Vale School District’s Resource Officer, Senior Deputy Derrick Peasley with the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, recently issued a letter to the Vale community regarding the SRO’s three pillars of operation—safety first, being an informal educator and counselor, and providing discipline when needed.

Read SRO Peasley’s letter to the community below:

(From MCSO Senior Deputy Derrick Peasley)

I am the School Resource Officer for the Vale School District, working for the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office. As an SRO, I believe the role is built around three important pillars:

-Safety First – My number one responsibility is helping provide a safe and secure learning environment for students, staff, and the school community.

-Informal Educator and Counselor – Building positive relationships with students is an important part of the job. I strive to be a trusted resource, mentor, and someone students can talk to when they need guidance or support. I also look for opportunities to educate students about safety, responsibility, and making good decisions.

-Discipline – When necessary, I help address behavior, educate and enforce the rules and laws that keep our school community safe. Discipline is important, but I believe it should also be an opportunity to teach accountability and help students learn from their choices.

During the summer months, I serve as a Marine/Boat Deputy with the Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, helping keep our waterways safe and assisting those who enjoy the outdoors.

Outside of law enforcement, I enjoy being involved in the community. I help coach high school football and serve on the Vale City Council. In my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, and spending time outdoors with my family.

I am proud to serve the students, staff, families, and community of the Vale School District and look forward to building relationships and making a positive difference every day.