In a time where community connections and understanding are more vital than ever, Sergeant Josh Twohig of the Winfield Police Department stands out as a beacon of positive change. Through his innovative efforts, Sgt. Twohig is building bridges between law enforcement and students with special needs, fostering a sense of mutual respect and understanding within the Winfield community.

Since joining the Winfield Police Department in early 2019 and graduating from the West Virginia State Police Academy later that year, Sgt. Twohig has dedicated himself to making a difference. His latest initiative, a pen pal program with the special education classrooms at Winfield Middle School (WMS), exemplifies his commitment to community engagement and support.

As a Prevention Resource Officer (PRO) at Winfield Middle School and Winfield Elementary School, Sgt. Twohig recognized a unique opportunity to connect with students in a meaningful way. "I was given the idea to create a pen pal project by a fellow PRO in another county," he explains. "We discussed the need for law enforcement to familiarize themselves with students with special needs. This project not only allowed for officers from four departments to get to know these students, it also allowed students to work on a variety of academic tasks in a new and fun way."

The pen pal program, which Sgt. Twohig organized, involves officers from the Winfield Police Department, West Virginia State Police (Winfield Detachment), Putnam County Sheriff's Department, and Hurricane Police Department. These officers correspond with 17 students at WMS, exchanging letters and building relationships. He shared, “The initiative not only helps students improve their writing skills but also fosters a sense of trust and familiarity with law enforcement.”

The success of the pen pal program is due in no small part to the collaborative efforts of Sgt. Twohig's wife, Samantha. “She is a special education teacher in one of the classrooms that participated in this program. We worked together to ensure students and officers understood the goal of writing their letters and building these relationships. It was because of Samantha and her classroom that I saw a need for a program like this.”

Megan Hardin and Samantha Twohig helped make this program a success, they helped communicate with parents about this program and helped students complete their letters to their officers each month. It became a part of their classroom curriculum and something their students looked forward to. Mrs. Hardin and Mrs. Twohig worked with local businesses and community members to ensure our end-of-the-year celebration was a huge success. Belknap Pizza donated pizza while community members and parents donated drinks, snacks, cupcakes, and games. Students and officers spent the morning playing basketball, playing on the playground, and getting to know each other in person.  

Sgt. Twohig's dedication to the Winfield community is deeply rooted. Having grown up in the area and graduated from Winfield High School in 2007, he returned in 2021 to continue his commitment to the town he loves. "I have lived in Winfield since 2021, although I grew up in this community," he shares.

Through his work with the pen pal program, Sgt. Twohig is making a lasting impact on the lives of students, their families, and the community as a whole. His efforts exemplify the powerful role that law enforcement can play in fostering understanding and building positive relationships.

For more information about the pen pal program or to get involved, please contact Sgt. Josh Twohig at the Winfield Police Department at 304 586-9200.