Students and staff are mourning the death of Officer Terry Polston, who worked as a DARE officer in Warsaw Community Schools for 20 years. He died of lung cancer on December 2, 2008. (Photo provided)
Story Created:
Dec 3, 2008 at 4:48 PM EST
Story Updated:
Dec 3, 2008 at 6:01 PM EST
WARSAW — It was a somber day in Warsaw as the community mourns the death of a well-known and well-loved DARE officer. Terry Polston died Tuesday after a long battle with lung cancer. Students and staff say his dedication will live on forever.
"It didn't make sense to me," said student Paige Price.
"I started crying," said Bailey Baugher.
The halls at Eisenhower Elementary will never be the same.
"It'll feel like someone's missing. He's like a part of your family," said Baugher.
Polston lost the biggest battle of his life Tuesday. In 2001, he was diagnosed with lung cancer. He never smoked a day in his life. Despite his illness he always remained in high spirits.
"You could tell he was tired and not feeling well. But that's not what came across to the kids and that wasn't what he said," Eisenhower Elementary Principal Melissa Rees told WSBT News.
Seventeen years ago Polston became a DARE officer, teaching hundreds of students how to say no to drugs. But many say he touched the lives of more than just students.
"We're all better people for having him been a part of our lives for as long as he has been," said Rees.
"I always feel that he is nurturing although he's a police officer. He made elementary teachers better," said teacher Scott Johnston.
Students say the man known as "OP" was like a big teddy bear. He had a warm smile that was just as contagious as his laugh.
"Whenever I walked into somewhere and I didn't see him and I heard his laugh, I knew it was him," said Price.
And students say it brought them comfort, knowing they didn't just have a caring teacher, they also had a friend.
"He doesn't leave anybody out, make them feel any different. He treats everyone with respect and that's going to be missed a lot," said student Danielle Straits.
But many say there's one thing that will never go away. A legacy that will continue to impact the lives of students for years to come.
"They're going to do the right things, we talked about that yesterday. Now he can really keep an eye on them," said Johnston.
"I know lots of people and he was definitely one of a kind in my book," said Rees.
Polston leaves behind a wife and two children.
A memorial service will be held at Sunday 3 p.m. at Warsaw Community High School.
Instead of flowers, Polston's family has asked people to send donations to the Kosciusko County Community Foundation.
Monday, Dec 8 at 3:12 PM The Stanley wrote ...
You were an awesome man OP. Everyone in Kosciusko and surrounding areas will truly miss such an amazing man. Thank you for all you have done with our children. See you in heaven.