When Donald Slapnicker was a fifth-grader at Longfellow Elementary in Eastlake, his future was basically impacted forever.

That is when Slapnicker was heavily influenced by D.A.R.E. officer Ralph Tanner, and essentially his career path was set.

So it was fitting that Tanner was on hand to present his former protege and current officer for the Willowick Police Department with the 2024 Ohio Larry Cox D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year earlier this month at Kalahari Resorts in Sandusky.

“I remembered my D.A.R.E. officer from fifth grade, Ralph Tanner, and the impact D.A.R.E. had on me,” Slapnicker said. “I was a D.A.R.E. role model in high school. When I was approached about (taking the position) I didn’t hesitate to put in for it.”

Slapnicker grew up in Eastlake and graduated from North High before going to Bowling Green State University. He then went to Cleveland Heights Police Academy and has been a police officer for 14 years, including 12 with Willowick, the last eight as a D.A.R.E. officer.

Slapnicker said when he is teaching D.A.R.E. he goes to the elementary school twice a week for 14 weeks. Then in the spring he plans an event for graduation, and throughout the year stops in to say hello to students and faculty.

“I was very honored that I was nominated (for the state award) by Royalview fifth grade teacher Joelle Geiger. It is a huge honor,” Slapnicker said.

Willowick Police Chief Rob Daubenmire said there was no more worthy candidate for the Ohio D.A.R.E. Officer of the Year.

“I had the honor of personally watching Patrolman Donald Slapnicker receive this award and I am extremely proud of him,” Daubenmire said. “His hard work and dedication to the children and staff at Royalview Elementary School makes him deserving of this prestigious award.”

Whether or not Slapnicker will have the same kind of impact on any of his students that Tanner had on him remains to be seen, but he does have a clear message that he tries to get across.

“To hang around the right people and to make good choices,” Slapnicker said. “One mistake can ruin your life.

“I believe the D.A.R.E. program works,” he added. “It’s up to the individual to make the right choices. But I think that the dangers of drugs, drinking, smoking and especially vaping needs to be talked about a lot more at home and in school.”