One of the most gut-wrenching things that a parent can go through is learning of a potential threat to the school their child is attending. That was the case last year when an online threat was made against Ironton Elementary School.

With the thoughts of other school-related tragedies like those at Sandy Hook Elementary and Columbine High School, it is always vital to treat any threat with urgency.

That is exactly what law enforcement officials from the local, state and federal level did, as an immediate investigation ensued and each of these entities worked diligently until an arrest was made.

We applaud the efforts of the Ironton and Tampa police departments, Lawrence County and Pasco County, Florida, sheriff’s offices, Federal Bureau of Investigation Portsmouth and Tampa offices, University of South Florida police and the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office.

Each of these entities played a vital role in identifying, making an arrest and convicting Kyle Parramore, of Wesley Chapel, Florida, who pleaded guilty in Lawrence County Commons Pleas court earlier this week.

Ultimately, how these agencies worked together in responding to the threat is encouraging because the safety of our children is always a top priority.