During School Resource Officer Appreciation Week, the School District of Lancaster proudly recognizes the individuals who help create safe, welcoming, and relationship-centered schools. At Jackson Middle School, Officer Lukacs embodies what it means to serve not only as a law enforcement professional, but as a trusted and consistent presence in the lives of students.
Officer Lukacs has served with the Lancaster City Police Department for 23 years, including 17 years on the Mounted Unit. He is currently in his second full school year as the School Resource Officer at Jackson Middle School. While his time on the Mounted Unit allowed him to build strong connections throughout the community, he shares that the relationships he has formed in just two years at Jackson have surpassed even those meaningful experiences.
“The administration, staff, and students at Jackson Middle School are like family,” he shared. “I’m already setting goals and opportunities with students for the 2026-2027 school year.”
His approach is rooted in relationships. Officer Lukacs often reflects that many of the students he serves today will grow up to remain in Lancaster and raise families of their own. By building trust now and showing students that he cares, he believes he is helping to shape the relationship between the next generation of Lancaster families and its officers.
That mindset shows up in the small details. He always begins texts with a greeting, often using the “Hello” or “Hi” emoji. He believes it is important to acknowledge people first. That simple act mirrors how he approaches students each day, with respect and intentional connection.
Students also know a few personal facts about him. If it has anything to do with coffee, he is all in. Coffee flavored ice cream is his favorite, and if it smells like coffee or claims to be coffee, he is interested. Those small pieces of personality help humanize the badge and make him more relatable to the young people he serves.
Lt. Todd Grager, Community Engagement Lieutenant with the Lancaster City Police Bureau, supervises the School Resource Officers assigned to the School District of Lancaster. He describes each SRO as invaluable to their buildings. The relationships they build with students and staff help bridge the gap between the Police Bureau and the community. For many students, School Resource Officers are the face of the Police Bureau. Lt. Grager shared that his role is to support each officer so they can succeed in the amazing work they do. He expressed deep appreciation for the collaborative partnership between SDoL leadership and the Lancaster City Police Bureau, noting that it fosters a community-centered approach to serving every family in the City of Lancaster.
Assistant Superintendent Dr. April Hershey echoes that sentiment. She emphasizes that the effectiveness of our School Resource and Security Officers is rooted in the relationships they build. Safety is not defined solely by physical security measures. It is defined by trusted adults who know students, understand school culture, and respond thoughtfully. Officers like Officer Lukacs help identify concerns early, support proactive problem solving, and create conditions where students feel protected and ready to learn.
At Jackson Middle School, Officer Lukacs is more than a uniform in the hallway. He is a consistent presence, a relationship builder, and someone already looking ahead to the next school year with goals for the students he serves.
As we celebrate SRO Appreciation Week, we extend our gratitude to Officer Lukacs and all of our School Resource and Security Officers. Thank you for your service, your commitment to building trust, and for helping ensure that every student in the School District of Lancaster feels safe, supported, and valued.