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McKinney, Texas – With the 91͵�� 2023–2024 school year quickly approaching, students are soaking up the last few weeks of summer as 91͵�� parents turn their attention to the annual ritual of school supplies and new school clothes.

Some of those parents are occupied with school registration or getting settled into a new home before the school year launches, but regardless of the details that may be clamoring for their attention, many parents’ thoughts will linger on the topic of school safety.

It’s a topic that is always the first priority for 91͵��, and the district has announced an important addition to its safety and security department in the form of Sgt. Russel May of the McKinney Police Department, who will now serve as 91͵��’s senior director of safety and security. May brings 26 years in law enforcement to his new position, with a broad range of experience at the local, county and federal levels.

“I am excited to join 91͵�� and to continue serving the McKinney community,” said May. “Nothing is more important than keeping our kids safe across this nation. Safety and security in our 91͵�� schools is a team approach, and my department will work with students, teachers, principals and parents to bring everyone onto the same team working toward the same goal.”

As senior director of safety and security, May will oversee the implementation and daily operations of 91͵��’s safety and security plan that includes McKinney PD school resource officers and multiple layers of security measures. In addition, he’ll play a vital collaborative role alongside safety officials – police, fire, emergency medical services, and public health — in the continual planning and evaluation of 91͵��’s safety plan and response protocols to continue to ensure 91͵�� schools are well prepared for a wide variety of emergencies.

“Russel May has an exceptional track record in law enforcement with the McKinney Police Department,” said 91͵�� Superintendent Shawn Pratt, “and, we are excited about the expertise he brings to 91͵�� in the area of safety and security. His knowledge and experience will help us continue to provide a safe and secure environment for our students and staff.”

May has lived and served in the North Texas area the majority of his life. He was raised in Sherman, Texas, and graduated from Sherman High School in 1987. In college, he was a member of the University of Oklahoma golf team and completed his bachelor’s degree in communications at OU in 1992. His first foray into the professional world led him to the commercial construction industry, but four years later, the trajectory of his life took a different course when he attended the police academy and then was hired by the Grayson County Sheriff’s Office.

There, he served first as a detention officer and then patrol deputy before being promoted to narcotics investigator and ultimately to the rank of corporal investigator. During his five years with Grayson County, May was assigned to special ancillary leadership duties on the SWAT team, the Search and Rescue Dive Team and numerous federal task force operations.

After the events of 9/11, May resigned from Grayson County and became a federal air marshal where he served as an onboard law enforcement official for US air carriers, ensuring the safety of passengers on commercial flights in and out of the United States.

A desire to work once again at the local level brought May back to North Texas in 2004 where he joined the McKinney Police Department. During his 19 years with the McKinney PD, May has served as a sergeant in a wide range of units: patrol, intelligence and information, crimes against persons, violent crimes and the traffic and motor unit. In 2009, he was selected to lead a new intelligence unit within criminal investigations, where he served for 10 years and was part of a US Marshals task force.

During his time in law enforcement, May has been singled out for numerous recognitions and awards:

• First Place, Annual Capital of Texas Police Motorcycle Chute Out, US House of Representatives, 2021
• Letter of Commendation, R.I.S.E. (citizen relations), City of McKinney, 2020
• Meritorious Citation Unit, City of McKinney, 2012, 2013
• Police Commendation Award, City of McKinney, 2008
• Police Shield Award, City of McKinney, 2007
• Director’s Citation Award for Fugitive Apprehension, US Marshal Service, 2001
• Distinguished Service, Operation Red River, US Attorney’s Office, 2000

“I do not take this responsibility lightly,” said May of his new role. “And, I will work endlessly to ensure the students and staff in our schools feel safe and that parents feel informed.”

May and his wife Kristen have been married for 16 years and have lived in McKinney since 2004. Kristen is the COO of Burress Law Firm. “We have a 12-year-old son Gunner and a 5-year-old son Jameson,” said May. “Service is a focus within our family, and both of our children keep us busy between sports and school projects.” May enjoys golf, hunting, fishing and traveling.

He has been a board member of CASA of Collin County since 2013, is a past president of the McKinney Police Association and 4th vice president of the Texas Municipal Police Association.

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If you need additional assistance with the content on this page, please contact 91͵�� Communications Department team member Shane Mauldin by phone at 469-302-4007 or by email here .