News Release (May 14, 2019)
Major David Harper of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on Tuesday May 14, 2019 at approximately 11:55 a.m., School Resource Officer Sergeant Joey Knight was on duty at the Madison County Central School when he was notified by staff that students reported seeing a black male dressed in black clothing looking into the window of a classroom from the outside of the building. Witnesses reported that the unknown male subject ran across the west parking lot toward the woods.
Sergeant Knight responded to the sighting within one minute while calling other deputies for assistance. The school administration initiated lockdown protocol and multiple deputies were on campus within minutes. A canine was immediately deployed while the interior school and outer campus was thoroughly searched.
After a short time, the buildings and campus were cleared of any immediate threat and the interior lockdown was lifted. Several deputies remained on campus as additional canine units were requested from Madison Correctional Institution as well as Hamilton Correctional Institution to assist in searching the woods. The entire perimeter of the school campus was searched with multiple tracking canines however no evidence of anyone was located.
“I am extremely proud of the students who reported what they witnessed and of the appropriate and immediate action taken by the school staff to ensure the safety of our children.” Major David Harper
