For most of the student body at Bishop Manogue, Lafayette Webb is more than just the school campus cop. He is a familiar face, someone to turn to when you need advice, or when you need a trusted listener, somebody with a warming presence who brings not only safety but kindness and compassion to the halls of Bishop Manogue. His path to such an admirable role is a story followed by faith, service, and a deep desire to make others feel safe.
Mr. Webb grew up in Reno, Nevada, just like many of the students and staff at Bishop Manogue. Mr Webb was fortunate enough to grow up with a “really good childhood,” as he describes. He was raised in a Christian household, being the son of a pastor, surrounded by love and faith. He graduated from Sparks High, and he continued his education in college. “Reno was a lot smaller back then,” he claims. “It didn’t matter your race or religion, we all just kind of got along.” That sense of inclusivity and positive views would later play a major role in his life journey.
Although Mr. Webb’s values and morals were grounded in Christianity as he grew up, he decided to convert to Catholicism over fifteen years ago. This was not only a personal decision but a decision influenced by his good friends, as well as a meaningful journey to being a godparent. He was asked to be a godparent to his good friend’s son. In order to be a godparent in the Catholic Church, you must be baptized Catholic. So, he decided to get baptized Catholic as well as taking classes on this specific religion. “The process was intense, but it helped better my understanding of the Catholic teachings on a deeper level.” Despite religious differences, he found that his core beliefs were perfectly aligned with Catholic values such as love, respect, and service.
Before his time at protecting Bishop Manogue’s students, Mr. Webb built up a career focused on protecting the people of our city. He worked for about twelve years at the Washoe County Sheriff’s office before deciding to switch over to police work in schools. This transition was influenced by good buddies who also worked at schools, growing his interest in being a school officer. Even while working at the Sheriff’s office, he had always shown interest in working with the younger generations. Mr. Webb volunteered in schools, tutoring kids and engaging with them in memorable ways. As many know, Mr. Webb worked at Reno High School before transferring over to Manogue. The only school that had an opening for him at the time was Reno, and he loved it, so he stayed.
Uniquely, working in law enforcement wasn’t the first thing on his mind when he was trying to build a future while in college. At first, Mr. Webb admitted he was unsure of what to do with his life while in College. However, “There were many people who impacted my life. I admired the way they served the community,” Mr. Webb says. He had a friend from his fraternity who worked at the Sheriff’s office who encouraged him to apply, so he did. He picked his fraternity brother’s brain for a bit and decided that this would be a major interest for him, as it was something he could easily see himself succeeding at.
To become a school officer, Mr. Webb had to go through the same training required of officers in city or county departments. In some ways, the standards and requirements were even higher. Mr. Webb had to qualify four times a year with his service weapon compared to twice a year when in the Sheriff’s office. Mr. Webb exclaimed that because you are now protecting a school filled with children, there was absolutely no room for error.
Despite the seriousness and importance of his role here at Bishop Manogue, Mr. Webb has built an amazing reputation for not only being kind but also being approachable. Students often discuss how serious school officers can be, but that is the opposite for Mr. Webb. Students at Bishop Manogue discuss how he always greets them with a smile and always supports students at their events and games, always willing to help when he can. “First and foremost, I believe in giving respect,” Mr. Webb said. “If you have the attitude that everyone should just respect you because of your badge, it doesn’t work that way.” His approach to connecting with the students while being able to protect them is built on relationships, earning trust through thoroughness and compassion while focusing on mutual respect.
When asked what impact Mr. Webb desires to leave here at Bishop Manogue High School, his answer was quite simple: “Just be Kind.” In a world filled with conflict and hardships, Mr. Webb believes in the power of kindness to make a difference, not just as a school officer but as a human being.
