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Jannette Casas remembers attending elementary school in Eagle Pass, 408 miles southwest of Cedar Hill on the U.S./Mexico border.

“I was a student who looked up to school police officers,” Casas said. “I always wanted to be a school police officer. I originally thought about teaching. My goal is to work with students, so why not work in the school district as an officer?”

Casas was honored as part of Cedar Hill ISD First Responder Recognition before Friday’s home football game.

She joined Cedar Hill ISD’s Police Department in April 2024, as one of the officers hired after Cedar Hill voters approved the Voter Approved Tax Rate Election (VATRE) in November 2023.

Being in a bilingual school makes Casas’ job even more special.

Spanish was her first language. Students, staff and families appreciate her ability to communicate in both languages. Casas feels like she’s part of the Highlands family now.

“Being a school police officer is everything I thought it would be and more,” Casas said. “I always tell the students that I’m here to keep them safe. I let them know that we’re community helpers. The students will come up to me, and I try to give them some extra motivation. The kids love the law enforcement stickers.”

Casas was a reserve deputy for the Maverick County Sheriff’s Office in Eagle Pass before moving to the Metroplex for more career opportunities.

She served as a security officer at the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the campus of Southern Methodist University for two years.

“I had a chance to meet President and Mrs. Bush,” Casas said. “They would always thank me for keeping their library and museum safe.”

Casas and her husband, fellow Cedar Hill ISD Police Officer Abraham Rubio, have five children, between the ages of 2 to 15, in a blended family. Casas said one of the teenagers aspires to work in law enforcement.