Fairfax County Police Department News

A brisk, early-Spring morning and “Elvis” lives on at Lee High School; where the school resource officer recognized a student with musical talent, skills, and a desire for something bigger in life.

A few years ago, a Franconia patrol officer mentioned being given a guitar but didn’t have any use for it. His colleague, Officer Steve Richards, gladly offered to take it off of his hands.

Richards, a 17-year veteran of the force, restored the guitar, re-strung it, names it “Elvis” and added it to his modest collection of instruments. Since that time, he’s introduced his fellow officers to music, taught them chords, reading music and watched them flourish.

Richards, currently serving as Lee’s School Resource Officer, has always been passionate about music, specifically bass guitars, and has played for almost 40 years.

After high school, Richards spent over three years with his band, touring on the road, travelling from town to town in a bus and sleeping in hotels.

Eventually, he progressed in his career, served in the U.S. Navy and as a logistics manager for a corporation in Maryland. A law enforcement calling, however, was in his blood. His father, uncles, and grandfather all served in the Prince Georges County (Maryland) Police Department; he decided on a career in public safety, too.

While he’s only been at Lee High School for a year and a half, he’s found the job to be an interesting challenge. Being firm, fair and consistent is his general rule.

Music, however, has continued to play a huge role in his life. So, when Richards learned of one of his students without a guitar, who had previously had one, he resurrected “Elvis” and passed it along.

The surprised senior was speechless as Richards handed him the guitar in his tiny office on Friday, March 13.

Having faith in the future; school resource officers make a difference.