Two Palm Beach County School Police officers have been nominated for a Law Enforcement Officer (LEO) Award following their actions during a security incident at Lake Worth Community High School at the beginning of the school year.
According to statements provided by the officers and reported by WPTV, Sgt. Frank Bialaszewski and Officer Johan Lorenzo confronted and disarmed an individual who allegedly entered the campus without authorization while carrying a loaded firearm.
Authorities reported that the suspect was not a student at the school.
Incident Overview
According to the officers, the incident began when a student alerted school police to concerns that an individual on campus may have been armed.
Officer Lorenzo said a student approached officers and reported that someone on campus appeared to be carrying a firearm.
School officials subsequently initiated campus security protocols.
“We had a security breach. Individual made entry to the campus illegally, went into a lockdown,” Sgt. Bialaszewski said.
The officers reported locating the individual after he exited a restroom on campus.
Officers Confront Suspect
According to the officers’ account, the situation escalated when they approached the individual and observed behavior they considered concerning.
“Subject wasn’t cooperative at that time. We noticed that he reached into his waistband,” Sgt. Bialaszewski said.
Officer Lorenzo described the moment as a critical turning point in the encounter.
“At that moment, I knew two things: He’s probably the one that’s armed, and this situation just got real. So, I took control of his hand. I initiated a takedown,” Lorenzo said.
The officers reported that they were able to gain control of the suspect and safely remove the firearm without injury to students, staff, or responding officers.
“We were able to place him under control with minimal issues, and eventually disarming him,” Lorenzo said.
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Firearm Recovered
According to police, the suspect was carrying:
Authorities have not publicly indicated that any shots were fired during the incident.
Student Tip Credited as Key Factor
Both officers emphasized the importance of communication between students and school police.
According to their statements, the student who reported the concern played a significant role in allowing officers to intervene before anyone was harmed.
The officers said the incident highlights the value of maintaining trust and open communication with students on campus.
Building Relationships with Students
The officers stated that relationship-building remains a central part of their responsibilities as school resource officers.
“Every interaction with every kid makes a difference in the world,” Bialaszewski said.
Officer Lorenzo said that mentoring and establishing rapport with students often encourages them to report safety concerns.
“You start mentoring this kid, you give him a little bit of a hey, you can talk to us,” Lorenzo said. “It goes back to building that rapport with the kids on campus.”
Security Improvements Following Incident
Officer Lorenzo described the incident as uncommon and said the department has taken steps to strengthen security measures following the event.
“This is a rare occurrence. The fact that we were able to handle business, and everybody went home safe without nobody really realizing what happened was great,” Lorenzo said.
He added that security systems have been improved since the incident.
Specific details regarding those security enhancements were not disclosed.
Officers Respond to Hero Recognition
When asked about being characterized as heroes, both officers said they viewed their actions as part of their responsibilities as law enforcement professionals.
“It doesn’t correlate. We sign up to do this job, we love doing our job every day,” Bialaszewski said.
“It sounds cliche, I was just doing my job,” Lorenzo said.
Both officers also credited fellow personnel and school staff, describing the response as a team effort.
Current Status
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the officers nominated for the LEO Award?
Palm Beach County School Police Sgt. Frank Bialaszewski and Officer Johan Lorenzo.
Where did the incident occur?
The incident occurred at Lake Worth Community High School in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Was the suspect a student?
According to police, the individual was not a student at the school.
What weapon was recovered?
Police reported recovering a loaded handgun containing 15 rounds, including one chambered round, along with approximately 12 additional rounds of ammunition.
Were any injuries reported?
No injuries to students, staff, or officers were reported.
How did officers learn about the suspect?
According to the officers, a student reported concerns that an individual on campus was armed, prompting the response.
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