FAULKNER COUNTY,Ark.–Students are all smiles when Faulkner County Sheriffs Deputy Matt Kimery steps onto their school bus.

“Hey guys,” says Dep. Matt Kimery.

“He makes it a point to come in. He comes to the classes and gives stickers out,” explains 3rd-grade teacher Susan Beshears.

“Y’all have a good day,” Kimery tells the students.

Handing out high fives is just as important as stopping speeders to the Guy-Perkins school resource officer.

Whether it’s a hug on Valentines Day or talking to students about gun safety, the school resource officer is building relationships that Mrs. Beshears says have transformed how her students see law enforcement.

“He makes them see that they’re not there to get them. They’re there to help them. He puts a face on police officers everywhere, that they’re not all bad, they’re not all scary. They have their own families. “

A dad himself, Kimery can’t imagine a better way to serve and protect.

“You’re looking at it. That reaction right there means everything to me. It’s hard not to get emotional. It’s very special. It’s priceless to me,” Kimery tells KARK.

“The most special thing about him is that he’s here protecting me,” says 4th grader Madison Mode.

During an assembly on the first week of school, KARK and McDonalds of Central Arkansas surprised Officer Kimery with $250.

“It’s a very very nice gesture, a blessing, thank you,” Kimery told the crowd.

Officer Kimery isn’t just the School Resource Officer at Guy-Perkins, he also works for Greenbrier and Mount Vernon schools.