How One Event Transformed Me into a School Resource Officer

In this powerful episode of *The Suffering Podcast*, host Kevin Donaldson sits down with School Resource Officer Danny Herrera to explore the life-changing events that shaped his calling to protect and guide young lives. From his humble upbringing in Hialeah, Florida, to surviving a near-fatal shooting and learning the power of forgiveness, Danny’s journey is one of resilience, faith, and purpose. He opens up about personal loss, career setbacks, and the unwavering support of his family—lessons that shaped his belief in influencing youth through compassion, guidance, and respect.

Danny also shares his unique perspective as an SRO, where he balances law enforcement duties with mentorship, building trust even with those he’s arrested. His dedication to proactive safety inspired him to author a children’s book on school preparedness, offering a practical “Safe Plan” for classrooms nationwide. Packed with emotional stories, hard-earned wisdom, and a call to be proactive rather than reactive, this episode will leave you inspired, informed, and more appreciative of the people who dedicate their lives to shaping the next generation.

Born and raised in South Florida, Officer Daniel Herrera, M.S.Ed., served his community as an elementary school teacher for five years before starting a career in law enforcement in 2011. He worked in Road Patrol and later as a Detective, before becoming a School Resource Officer in 2017, a role he continues to hold today. His additional responsibilities include serving as a Team Leader on his agency’s

Crisis/Hostage Negotiation Team, General Instructor, and Crisis Intervention Officer. Holding multiple advanced training certifications, including national certifications as both a Tactical Medical Instructor and an Active Threat Instructor, Officer Herrera is passionate about training fellow officers, as well as teachers and school staff, on how to handle emergency situations effectively. He is also deeply committed to enhancing school safety through age-appropriate training for students. In addition, since

2017, Officer Herrera has organized an annual “Ballin’ for Unity” basketball game to foster community-police relations. Beyond his professional roles, he is a devoted family man (married 18 years with three children), a Jiu Jitsu practitioner, a motorcycle enthusiast, and a

former little league baseball coach of 10 years.

Find Officer Daniel Herrera

Email: OfficerDannySAFE@gmail.com

Instagram: @OfficerDannySAFE

Amazon link to buy “Officer Danny Always Keeps Us SAFE!”

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