Longtime DARE Instructor And School Resource Officer Retiring After 29 Years In Law Enforcement

IDAHO FALLS – For 22 years, Justin Cornelson has been a well-known face among middle school students in Bonneville County.

The 52-year-old Ammon man is stepping down as a DARE instructor and school resource officer with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. His retirement is effective June 1. A retirement party was held on the top floor of the Bonneville County Elections Office Thursday afternoon.

In a conversation with EastIdahoNews.com, Cornelson cites his ages as a factor in his retirement.

“It’s kind of a young man’s game,” Cornelson says. “Sometimes it’s nice to have a change of pace.”

But Cornelson isn’t planning to go anywhere. After taking the summer off, he hopes to come back to the sheriff’s office and be a DARE instructor part-time.

He’s enjoyed interacting with students over the years and it’s gratifying for him to see students who are struggling learn something that makes a positive impact on their life.

These are the experiences he’s going to miss most.

“I had one girl come up to me a few years ago and say, ‘Thanks for showing me a different way to live my life,’” Cornelson recalls. “When their minds open up and you see the lightbulb come on, it’s really fun to be part of that.”

Cornelson shaking hands with a student at a DARE graduation. | Courtesy Bryan Lovell

Cornelson got his start as a patrol officer in Bellevue 29 years ago. He worked in Ketchum for a time before getting a job with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

The decision to go into law enforcement was prompted, in part, by having an uncle and other acquaintances who worked in this industry.

He met his wife, Lisa, who is a teacher by profession, in a law enforcement class years ago.

“As soon as we met, she’s like I don’t feel like going to those classes anymore. So apparently, it was meant to be for us to meet there,” says Cornelson.

His father-in-law worked in law enforcement as well, including a stint at the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.

He started as a school resource officer 22 years ago before becoming the DARE instructor in 2009. He’s also been involved in the explorer program, which gives kids ages 14-20 a chance to put on a uniform and serve in the community. The purpose is to let them explore whether it’s a career they’d like to have in the future.

Cornelson has seen several kids transition from the explorer program to a law enforcement career, and that’s rewarding for him as well.

As Cornelson prepares to step down, he expresses gratitude for the people he’s worked with and those he’s been able to serve. He hopes the best for his colleagues and the community going forward.

“He’s quite an icon. His service to our office is very unique because of his engagement with the kids in the DARE program. He’s a great example of someone who has served the community in a lot of different ways,” Bonneville County Sheriff Sam Hulse says. “He’s a dedicated servant to the community and it just doesn’t get any better than that.”