The recent announcement of Deputy Joe Knapp's retirement from the Allegan County Sheriff's Department after over 25 years of service caught the attention of many in the Hamilton community. Since December of 2022, Deputy Knapp has served as the School Resource Officer for Hamilton Community Schools.
With Knapp's departure leaving a lot of sadness and appreciation in our district, it's time to welcome in our new SRO, Deputy John Dekkinga! Deputy Dekkinga served the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department before transitioning to Allegan County for the past 18 months. The switch to the SRO position is an exciting one for the 2018 Hamilton High School graduate.
"Transitioning from road patrol to this position, it'll be nice leaning on Deputy Knapp and his experience. Some of the biggest things is getting to know people in the community and forming good relationships," said Dekkinga."
Dekkinga will be working side-by-side with Deputy Knapp before his last day in the district on August 29 and retirement from the police department in September.
The fond memories of his time as a student in our district has Dekkinga ready to help the next wave of Hawkeyes have that same experience at HCS.
"I went to Hamilton since young fives all the way through my senior year and I played all the sports you could think of, it's a great community. I loved every second of going to school here."
Join us in welcoming Deputy Dekkinga back to his alma mater!
