"Officer Ted" is a familiar face in the halls of Lancaster city schools, and he's gaining national recognition, too.

Ted Makauskas, the teaching, education and mentoring officer of the Lancaster city police, was recently awarded a 2009 Exceptional Service Award for his efforts, including teaching more than 1,000 safety and life lessons in schools each year.

One of six recipients nationally and the only honoree from Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Delaware, Makauskas was recognized in late June at the National Association of School Resource Officers conference in Baltimore.

Colleagues in the School District of Lancaster collaborated to nominate Makauskas, according to Bill Gleason, the district's school and community safety coordinator.

Gleason said Makauskas, a 6 foot 6 inch "big, furry guy," was an obvious choice for nomination.

"Ask any kid in the (School District of Lancaster) who Officer Ted is, and they'll just go crazy talking about him," he said. "I've never seen a guy put that much effort into his job."

Makauskas, who Gleason said has taken a rare vacation and was not available for comment, also teaches a law enforcement class at Phoenix Academy and volunteers at Cadet Camp, a summer program run by the state police.

Makauskas has served with the Lancaster city police for 23 years.

His efforts immediately stood out in the hundreds of applications, said  NASRO awards committee chairman Carl Osburn, who described Makauskas's efforts as "just unbelievable."

"He had one of the best rapports with the students and staff that we've ever seen," Osburn said. "He's out and about all the time in the community, volunteering his time and putting in more hours."

Gleason said the extra hours Makauskas works often include running after-school programs without taking overtime pay.

"His entire day is spent in the school district, every day," Gleason said. "With the kids, he's just in his element."

E-mail: khopkins@lnpnews.com