School resource officers keep our schools safe.

They also foster relationships with students so they can resolve problems in and out of the classroom. One Seminole County school resource officer was recently recognized for going above and beyond the call of duty.

  • Seminole County school resource deputy helped mother
  • He had a friend get a pre-owned SUV for single mom
  • The deputy said other deputies helped pay for title, registration

Erica Wimberly said her son, Elijah, has fought severe asthma his entire life.

"Constant hospital visits, constant trips to the emergency room," Wimberly said. "Two years ago, he stopped breathing and I almost lost him."

Wimberly said she became a single mom after escaping domestic violence. She says frequent emergency trips to get her son treatment has made it difficult for her to maintain a job and keep a car.

"He feels like he’s a burden — because of his asthma it's caused me to lose jobs," Wimberly said. 'It's taken a toll on him."

Elijah's school resource officer, Deputy Todd Farnham, took notice.

"I had to call an ambulance several times for him at our school," Farnham said.

After Wimberly lost her steady job and then her car, Farnham periodically offered to give her a ride to medical appointments for Elijah.

But one day, Wimberly's situation got worse.

While riding her bike, she was hit by a car and was seriously injured. 

Farnham had seen enough. He reached out to a friend who had a car dealership. 

In December — and just before Christmas — that friend donated a pre-owned SUV to Wimberly.   

"And she immediately felt the need to help this family and bless them for Christmas," Farnham said.

Added Wimberly: "I'm still shocked. Every time I get out of the car, I look back and it's still there."

The Seminole County School Board recently recognized Farnham at a meeting. The deputy got a standing ovation.

Farnham said he admires Wimberly for her strength and also said he admires the generosity of his friend who donated the SUV to Wimberly. 

"She's not immune to tragedy herself, she's an overcomer like Erica," Farnham said of the friend. "So, in my opinion, I just put two heroes together, two single moms who get it done no matter what happens, and they made the rest happen."

Farnham insists he just had one small part to play in helping Wimberly. He said his entire squad at the Seminole County Sheriff's Office chipped in money to cover the cost of the SUV's title and registration.