School Resource Officer Forrest Crilly is a familiar face in the halls of Tyrone Area School District. Popular among the students and staff because of his friendly and outgoing personality, Crilly does a lot for the students and staff beyond his primary responsibility to keep the school safe.

“The enthusiasm and positivity Forrest has throughout school definitely makes my day,” senior Alex Shock said. “I can confidently say most other students feel the same way.”

Crilly, who has been with the school district for the past five years, is a native of Hollidaysburg and graduated from Hollidaysburg High School in 1987.

After high school, he served in the Navy for seven years as an Intelligence Specialist.

He then joined the Maine State Police, where he served until 2015.

After six years as a Trooper in a rural patrol, he was promoted to detective and worked in the Major Crimes Unit, investigating felonies and suspicious deaths.

“My last 10 years of service I worked in the Executive Protection Unit, where I guarded two different Governors and their families,” Crilly said.

Crilly also assisted the Secret Service with protection of the former President George H.W. Bush and his family at their seaside home in Kennebunkport, Maine.

After leaving the Maine State Police in 2015, Crilly moved back to Central Pennsylvania to be closer to where he grew up.

“[When the school resource officer position at Tyrone was posted] I jumped at the opportunity to work with the staff and students at the same district our son, Sam attends,” Crilly said.

Crilly hopes that students can approach him if they have a problem or just simply need to talk. Many students credit his enthusiastic personality and welcoming smile for giving off a positive vibe in the school.

“I tell young people that they can achieve anything they put their heart and mind to,” Crilly said. “Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Hard work equals success.”

In his free time, Crilly enjoys golfing, bow hunting, and watching sports with his son, as well as attending his sports events.

Fellow TASD Resource Officer Robert “Bub” Dick describes working with Crilly as “outstanding.”

“We are fortunate to have him helping out here at the school,” Dick said.

Tyrone High School social studies and driver’s ed teacher Cummins McNitt’s classroom is across the hall from the police office, so he sees the positive way that Officer Crilly interacts with students and staff every day.

“Officer Crilly is a great resource officer because he is student-focused. He’s popular among the students and staff because he’s friendly, courteous, and kind,” said McNitt, “I’d also add that he has a good sense of humor and is also very observant, and I would definitely trust him with the security of the school.”

Crilly has enjoyed his first five years at Tyrone and is looking forward to more.

“You know you have a good job when you look forward to coming to work,” said Crilly.