Dave Trimble has spent much of his career serving the Carroll County community. Now, after more than two decades in law enforcement, he is bringing the experiences and relationships he has built along the way to a new role as School Resource Officer at Carroll County High School.
“I really thought about what is something I can do with the rest of my productive work life that will make an impact in the community,” Trimble said. “I felt like my work experience, the connections I’ve made in the community and my previous work experience in mental health plus education would make this a good adventure and this would be a good fit.”
The decision to become an SRO was not simply about finding a job after retirement. Trimble wanted his next chapter to have purpose.
He retired from the Kentucky State Police in 2025 after a career that began in 2001 and included work as a road trooper, detective and several leadership positions. His final assignment was at Kentucky State Police headquarters in Frankfort, where he served in operational support.
He began thinking about what he wanted to do with the next part of his working life and reached out to Carrollton Police Chief Mike Willhoite. That conversation eventually led him to the SRO position at CCHS.
The role also brings Trimble back to an earlier chapter of his life.
Before entering law enforcement, he spent five years working in mental health, primarily with juveniles dealing with drug and alcohol addiction and a wide range of behavioral health challenges. He also spent six months working in a juvenile detention facility.
Trimble earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and began working toward a master’s degree before realizing that path was not where he wanted to go. Looking back, he sees how those early experiences, combined with his law enforcement career, have prepared him for the work he is about to do.
“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” he said. “I’ve been part of the community for a long time, and this is a way to contribute in a different way.”
CCHS Principal Crystal Harris said she is "very excited to have him in our building supporting our students.”
Trimble has lived in Carroll County since 2001, and although he moved out of the county a couple of years ago, his connection to the community has remained strong. His work with Kentucky State Police also gave him the opportunity to develop relationships throughout the county.
During his time as an operations lieutenant, Trimble was responsible for active shooter training provided by Kentucky State Police and taught that training in schools throughout Carroll County. Those experiences gave him a familiarity with local schools and many of the people who work in them.
Now, he wants to build a different kind of connection with the school community. He plans to spend time in the hallways, interact with students and teachers and make himself available to the people around him.
“It’s a people job, so you have to be present in the moment,” he said.
That philosophy has been shaped by years of working with people in a rural community. Trimble said one of the most important things he has learned is that helping someone often starts by simply showing up, listening and finding out what they need.