Doris Wilson is back to work, and this time the law is on her side

Last week the Ledger reported that Doris Wilson had been told she could no longer stop traffic at West McDonald Street and North Walnut Street, the state highway corner she's worked for years so buses can turn and kids can cross.

Today at 1 p.m., Blackford County Clerk Kim Pitts swore her in as a limited-purpose Special Deputy with the Blackford County Sheriff's Office.

She has the authority now. She's back on the job.

It took the whole town

Word travels fast in Hartford City, and people noticed the corner was different.

Blackford County Schools went looking for a fix. Superintendent Chad Yencer said the district worked with the mayor while it reviewed options.

The Hartford City Police Department stepped in and worked the intersection so the buses and the kids were covered in the meantime. Yencer thanked them for it.

The Sheriff's Office found the path. Deputy Connor Gulley started training Wilson today under the department's traffic-direction policy.

Four offices, one crossing guard, about a week.

How the sheriff did it

Indiana law lets a sheriff appoint a special deputy when a person works for a governmental entity and the job requires law enforcement authority. (IC 36-8-10-10.6)

State law counts a public school corporation as a governmental entity. (IC 35-31.5-2-144)

While she's carrying out her assigned duties, a special deputy holds the powers of a county police officer. Those powers are set by a written appointment she signs, by the sheriff's policy, and by her training.

Drivers already have to obey a police officer directing traffic. (IC 9-21-8-1)

The old problem was that the law only requires drivers to stop for a crossing guard in a marked school crossing zone, and Walnut and McDonald isn't specifically a school crossing. The sheriff's statement said Wilson needed either lawful authority to direct traffic or a formal school zone designation. The appointment gives her the authority, at the location the Sheriff's Office approved, during arrival and dismissal.

In his statement, the sheriff said the county is fortunate to have people like Wilson who genuinely love serving others and want to make Blackford County a better and safer place to live.

Hard to argue with that. Wave at her on your way through.