APPLETON, Wis. – Attorney General Brad Schimel presented Top Cop and Appleton Police Department Officer Jack Taschner, a school resource officer at Appleton East High School, with a certificate at the Wisconsin School Resource Officer Conference on Wednesday for his efforts that prevented a tragedy in April 2017.

“Officer Jack Taschner is a hero who prevented a tragedy and his leadership is an example of the benefit school resource officers can provide a campus community,” said Attorney General Brad Schimel. “Even though I’m recognizing Officer Taschner as a ‘Top Cop’ today, the students, faculty, and parents of Appleton East High School have known him to be a great role model during his entire tenure.”

In April 2017, while patrolling the halls at Appleton East High, Officer Taschner noticed two young men in the hallway that were not Appleton East students. Officer Taschner made contact with the young men and escorted them to the main office for an interview. As a result of the interview, Officer Taschner learned that the two young men were sent to the school to retaliate against a student.

Around the same time, law enforcement and the school administrators also identified a vehicle on school grounds that belonged to a third young man and that had been used to transport the two unknown young men to the school.

Concerned for the well-being of the students and faculty, Officer Taschner and school officials made contact with the third young man and searched his vehicle. Officer Taschner discovered two loaded .40 caliber pistols inside the vehicle.

All three men involved in this potentially deadly situation, two of which were juveniles, were taken into custody on the scene, and all were charged with conspiracy to commit the physical abuse of a child and possession of a firearm in a school zone.

Officer Taschner’s knowledge of the student body and quick thinking certainly helped prevent a tragedy and led to a successful prosecution of those involved.

“Officer Jack Taschner exemplifies everything it means to be a School Resource Officer,” said Appleton Police Chief Todd Thomas. “This is just a small sample of the great work he does on daily basis to positively affect the community of East High School and keep that community safe.”

Officer Taschner gained national media attention in the fall of 2017 when he led the Appleton East High School student section in a cheer at a football game and rallied school spirit.

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