Piedmont Newnan’s First Friday Hero – Officer Renee Edwards

From Special Reports

This month Piedmont Newnan’s First Friday Hero program honors Newnan Police Department Officer Renee Edwards, School Resource Officer at Ruth Hill Elementary, for going above and beyond the call of duty.

Ofc. Edwards has been the School Resource Officer (SRO) here at Ruth Hill Elementary School, providing security for students, staff, and faculty on the school’s campus, since July 1, 2018. She was an instrumental and thriving force in taking the lead on the Newnan Police Department’s SRO program to make sure that it was effectively implemented to show high visibility throughout elementary schools within the City of Newnan.

Ofc. Edwards has been instrumental in serving the community’s youth through her various advocacy efforts, which include starting an after-school basketball program here at Ruth Hill, where students learn the art of the sport and have the chance to compete against their peers. She is also currently the Newnan Police Department’s Coordinator for their SAFE (Students are for Education) class, a 12-week class taught by School Resource Officers to all fifth-grade students throughout Coweta County, to prepare students for situations they face on a day-to-day basis as they continue their education, including topics such as peer pressure, stress, risks and consequences, bullying, internet safety, and self-esteem. Since the program has launched, a total of 584 students within the City of Newnan have graduated from the program at a local elementary school.

In addition to the positive and professional impressions that Ofc. Edwards has shown day in and day out within our community and at Ruth Hill Elementary, she also displayed heroism above and beyond during a recent event in August preventing a young student from being kidnapped. Ofc. Edwards immediately sprang into action, along with the child’s teacher and the front office staff, preventing the mother from leaving the campus and keeping the child safe. Thanks to Ofc. Edwards quick actions, the child was able to return to class and later return safely home.

Piedmont Newnan is honored to present Officer Edwards with Piedmont Newnan’s First Friday Hero award for her positive, professional impressions and willingness to serve and protect this community.

Piedmont Newnan Hospital created the First Friday Hero program in April 2019, which is designed to recognize first responders on a monthly basis who have gone above and beyond the call of duty. Their line of work is often a thankless job and we want to make the community aware of our local heroes and all they do to make Coweta County and our surrounding communities a better and safer place.