There’s a new sheriff in town—well, a new school resource officer (SRO). Deputy Josh Szpila joins the Stillwater Central School District from the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, bringing 10 years of law enforcement experience. Originally from Cheektowaga, New York, a small city outside of Buffalo, SRO Szpila has “lived in Halfmoon most of his life” and is a graduate of Shenendehowa High School.
Inspired to serve his country and community, SRO Szpila began his career 16 years ago in the United States Air Force Reserve, where he remains active and holds the rank of E-7 Master Sergeant. For the past 10 years, he has worked in law enforcement, beginning with the Troy Police Department before transferring to the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office in 2021.
“I loved my time there,” SRO Szpila said of his work at the Troy Police Department. “But I made a quality-of-life move. My family and my life were in Saratoga County, and I wanted to work in the county where I lived.”
While becoming a school resource officer was not his original career goal, SRO Szpila took on the role because of the schedule. However, once in the position, he “loved the job” and knew he had found his niche. His first assignment was at a small pre-K through grade five school, where he discovered he “wanted to continue doing the same type of work in a small school environment, but work with middle- and high-school-aged students.”
This led him to St. Mary’s School in Ballston Spa, where he spent the past two and a half years building connections and “showing them that law enforcement officers are more than just a badge.”
“I loved my time there, and I’m looking forward to expanding my talents and abilities here at Stillwater and getting the chance to work with students at all grade levels,” said SRO Szpila.
Drawing on his previous experience, SRO Szpila plans to continue building relationships with Stillwater students, staff, families, and the community and “to help make this district the safest in the state, just as he helped St. Mary’s become the safest in the Albany Diocese.”
“I look forward to working with the staff and administration on the strong safety program already in place, as well as working with students to help them become exceptional and responsible young adults,” SRO Szpila said.
When he’s not on the Stillwater campus, SRO Szpila spends time with his wife of 11 years and their two sons, who are in third and first grade, respectively. He’s often on the ice, as both boys are active in hockey. A big sports fan and Western New York native, SRO Szpila is a supporter of the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres and also follows baseball.