As Kennedy says farewell to Officer Morrison, the school welcomes the new resource officer, Officer Ridenhour.

A Waterbury native and youth now is a big help in the school. Officer Devin Ridenhour was assigned to Kennedy as the new resource officer who started the school year of 2021 as a city native.

“Born and raised in Waterbury. I went to Wilby High School, ” said Ridenhour.

Being a police officer wasn’t always his first choice. Being an officer kind of fell into his lap.

“I didn’t always want to be an officer, but I am in a generation of officers. I am a third-generation police officer. Didn’t really think about it until 21 years ago but I wanted to do anything involved in entertainment,” said Officer Ridenhour.

He never gave up on his entertainment career, though.

“I still DJ. I actually DJed at the city-wide prom last year. Triple threat D.Officer Tripp, a school resource officer at Crosby. We did it together. We do weddings, proms, all that,” said Officer Ridenhour.

Along with being a DJ and police officer for so long, Officer Ridenhour did security.

“I did security prior to being a police but it was DCF security, but the testing to become an officer is about a year long. So when you go to the academy it takes about eight months, so altogether to become a police officer takes a year and a half,” said Ridenhour.

He’s a big help in the community, plus he helps out with the youth doing multiple things.

“I am a volunteer instructor for the Brickley Nights so if you know anyone who wants to, send them my way. I’m also a volunteer coach for PAL basketball,” he said.

Is Officer Ridenhour the resource officer for other schools as well?

“Only for Kennedy. I’ll do extra work for football and basketball games," he said.

Officer Ridenhonr is an officer in and out of school.

“When we aren’t here we are actually on the road. So if you see any from other schools they will also be on shift after school,” said Officer Ridenhour.