CRESTVIEW — Crestview Police Community Services Officer Wanda Hulion warned crossing guard Eric Marshall that he'd become attached to the kids whom he sees safely across
busy Antioch Road daily.
"He said, 'Nah, I'm just there to do a job,'" Hulion said. "It wasn't two weeks before he was saying, "There are my kids. This is my school zone.'"
Friday morning Marshall received a surprise in "his" school zone: Hulion presented him with recognition as Crestview's Crossing Guard of the Year, including a certificate of appreciation, a
water bottle with a mister "for the hot days that are coming," and, saying, "Have lunch on us," a Subway sandwiches gift card.
"I like that I can contribute to the community and help the Crestview Police Department. That's the biggest thing for me," Marshall said. "I love 'my' kids here. I have two girls so I know
what it's like. When the kids come here to my crosswalk and into my custody, they're mine! They're mine until they get to school. They don't have a problem with that."
In fact, Antioch Elementary School fifth-grader Gabby McGriff said, she's glad she's one of Marshall's kids.
"He's awesome," Gabby said. "He does good. He keeps me safe when I'm crossing."
Friday morning Marshall had a surprise for his charges, handing out Pop Rocks candy to Gabby and her friends.
"Crossing guards provide an invaluable service to our communities and deserve special recognition for their tireless efforts," Florida Gov. Rick Scott stated in a Crossing Guard Appreciation Day proclamation.
Marshall said the busy crossing area is made even more hazardous by inattentive drivers.
Even as he spoke, a black SUV traveling well above the school zone's 25 mph dashed through, even with Hulion directing traffic.
"This is a bad corner," Marshall said. "We get a lot of speeding and people on cell phones. Man! I can't wait until it's (cell phone use while driving) a primary offense."
Hulion has proposed county authorities erect a pedestrian crossover from Addison Place Apartments to the other side of busy Antioch Road. While sidewalks are being considered for
the road, a planned widening project has to be completed first, she said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview Police recognize local crossing guard (VIDEO)