AKRON — AKRON -- An Akron weight room for students got a personalized makeover by an unlikely man in uniform.
Akron police officer Shea Flaherty spent more than two years at Buchtel CLC before moving to Kenmore-Garfield High School as its school resource officer. But it didn’t stop him from coming back to Buchtel to surprise students.
“[Buchtel Football] coach Ricky Powers and I decided it needed a little TLC and upkeep,” Flaherty said.
Flaherty said he spent about 80 hours outside of work to paint the school’s logo, words of encouragement and a graffiti-like image of The Hulk in the school’s weight room.
“[Students] found it cool that the cop in their school could do something they can relate to.”
Flaherty said he hoped the gesture would encourage students to succeed on and off the field, while also building a stronger relationship between students and officers.
“I think this is one way of giving them a different perspective on police and law enforcement and that we care about them and want them to succeed in everything they do.”