Will Riley sworn in as honorary sheriff's deputy
DeJanay Booth
Commended for his Stand for the Second walkout initiative, Carlsbad High School senior Will Riley was sworn in as an honorary sheriff's deputy by Eddy County Sheriff Mark Cage on April 25.
Riley, along with fellow classmates, launched the 16-minute walkout that is scheduled for May 2.
More than 100 schools nationwide are expected to participate.
Riley hopes the pro-Second Amendment walkout will allow those in support of the the right to bear arms to have a voice.
More: Carlsbad student creates Stand for Second walkout
"It's certainly a great honor, and I'm proud to live in a community where the local law enforcement is so committed to their oath to protect the Constitutional rights of their fellow citizens," Riley said. "I want to extend a big thanks to Sheriff Cage and the Eddy County Sheriff's Office."
Cage said it is the first time in his tenure that he has presented the recognition.
"He can't arrest anybody," Cage said, laughing. "It is a recognition of what he's doing."
While he is concerned about class disruption — as the walkout is scheduled on a class day — Cage believes Riley is taking a "positive" approach to the subject.
Cage, who is pro-Second Amendment, said with media coverage previously reporting on anti-gun agenda and call to repeal the Second Amendment following the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, he is happy to see reports on people with different viewpoint.
"Now we're seeing them given a voice and a platform. We can't solve society by taking people's rights," Cage said. "We're proud to have a young man like Will, and he's making a national impact."
Cage said Riley's initiative "falls in line" with the Sheriff's Office's core values: service, honor, integrity and courage.
DeJanay Booth can be reached at 575-628-5546, dbooth@currentargus.com and @DeJanayBooth on Twitter.