Staff Reports

Guyton Police officer Dennis Langley resigned his post with the Guyton Police Department April 17. Langley had been the school resource officer since the post was created in 2023.

As part of its safety procedures, all Effingham County public schools have a full-time SRO. The SRO is a sworn police officer with either the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Rincon or Guyton PD. Their salaries and equipment costs are shared between ECSD and the ECSO or municipal police departments – 75% ECSD and 25% ECSO or local police departments.

School was not in session when Langley turned in his resignation; and per the agreement with the Effingham County School District, Langley was working as a patrol officer with Guyton PD the week of April 13-20. Langley would not answer questions on the record with the Herald.

When students returned to class April 21, Officer Angel Hester was at the SRO post with the school.

“We appreciate Officer Hester’s presence and commitment in filling in at GES, ensuring a continued sense of safety and support for our students and staff,” said ECSD Superintendent Dr. Yancy Ford. “I am confident that Chief Lundy and his team are working diligently to identify a full-time replacement, and we trust that a qualified officer will be assigned in the near future.

“The safety and well-being of our students remain a top priority, and we will continue to collaborate closely with the City of Guyton to maintain a secure and supportive learning environment at Guyton Elementary,” Dr. Ford’s statement added.