Graves County's Newest SRO is Retired Cop Maxie

Shawn Maxie recently was sworn into office as a special law enforcement officer for the Graves County Public Schools.

A graduate of Caldwell County High School, Maxie worked in the Paducah Police Department from 1994 to 2014. More recently, he taught incoming police officers at the Department of Criminal Justice Training center on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.

Maxie joins Jonathan Grant, who is also a retired officer, having worked with Kentucky State Police Post 1, Mayfield.

“This is year four for me. I’m glad to be a part of the team,” Grant said of his own service in the Graves County Schools. “The best part of this job is being able to come back to the school system to hang out with kids and mentor them.”

Grant and Maxie had crossed paths in their previous work. “Officer Maxie is a great addition to our department of public safety. He’s got the perfect personality for the job, lots of experience, and loves the kids,” Grant said.

“The kids are seeing me around, getting to know me better,” Maxie said.

He grinned and chuckled in recalling how one middle school student even let him in on a secret handshake.

“I’m also getting back into teaching DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) – in fact, at all seven elementary schools. The program has changed somewhat since I was an instructor and mentor a few years ago, but I’m really enjoying it. Establishing relationships is a key part of doing police work. I also really enjoy not only teaching, but interacting with kids whenever I get the chance,” Maxie said.

Information provided by Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools.