Dallas County Sheriff's Deputy cheers with Keith High cheerleaders, connects with teens

This story originally ran in the Keith Bear Nation News, a student-run newspaper at Keith High School in Dallas County.

Keith High School students are used to seeing Dallas County Deputy Sheriff Demarcus Weems in uniform, but lately they’ve gotten used to seeing something else too – Weems in the basketball stands and shouting “Tick‑Tick‑Boom!” right alongside the Keith High cheerleaders.

What started as a fun moment at a game has quickly become a beloved tradition, one that students say brings joy and unity to the school. During an interview for the Keith High School newspaper with student report Era’Laijah Bailey at a home basketball game against Linden recently, Weems shared why cheering with the squad means so much to him.

“I think y’all are dope,” he said with a grin. “Every time I come to the game, y’all are lively, energetic, always getting the crowd in. I wanted to have an opportunity to be a high school cheerleader—even though I’m a grown man.”

Building Trust Through Spirit

For Weems, cheering isn’t just about fun. It’s about connection.

“Anytime that, as a police officer or sheriff’s deputy, we get a chance to interact with the community in a positive way, it shows that we care,” he explained. “I care about the kids of Keith High School and all over Dallas County. I just want to make a positive impact.”

Students say his presence does exactly that. His energy matches the squad’s, and his willingness to jump in—literally—breaks down barriers between teens and law enforcement.

Dallas County Sheriff Mike Granthum agrees that “playing” alongside the community like Weems is doing builds trust with residents.

“A lot of times, all you guys see is law enforcement going to get the bad guy and locking up mama, locking up granddaddy or whatever,” Granthum told the Keith High journalism class in a January interview. “And you say, ‘Oh, the police are here just to lock people up.’”

But Granthum said officers and deputies like to show that they’re human and “get dressed just like you guys do.”

“When people trust you, they're not as hesitant to bring information to you,” he added.

A Life Shaped by Purpose

Weems’ path to law enforcement began early. Growing up in Montgomery, he faced challenges at home and made a promise to himself at just six years old.

“My father was on drugs really bad,” he said. “I told him when I was a kid that I was going to arrest him because of it. It was something God placed in my heart. Plus, I love the blue lights.”

Now with 14 years in law enforcement, a master’s degree in criminal justice, a bachelor’s in broadcast journalism, and work underway on a doctorate in sports management, Weems brings both experience and passion to Dallas County.

His daily responsibilities range from patrolling the county to enforcing court orders, conducting welfare checks, and helping ensure residents live in a safe environment.

Keith Cheerleaders: His Favorite Squad

When asked whether the Keith High cheerleaders are his favorite, Weems didn’t hesitate.

“Of course! Yes!” he laughed. “Y’all are like my little sisters. I’m proud of everybody in high school trying to make it and be successful.”

The feeling is mutual. The squad even gave him a nickname: “Little Big Tick‑Tick‑Boom.”

Weems loves it.

“I think it’s an honorable nickname,” he said. “That’s my favorite cheer. I gotta know that Tick‑Tick‑Boom cheer.”

Watching Weems cheer with the Keith cheerleaders motivates fans to cheer harder, Keith fan and parent Jawanna Milhouse said.

“It’s an awesome thing that he cheers with them,” said Milhouse who has two cheerleaders on the squad. “It motivates them to do better, and it motivates the crowd.”

She also says it would help to have police officers at all the sports games to motivate kids to get involved in sports. It could also cut down on violence, she added. 

“If we can get more officers to interact with the children at the school, I think it will cut down on violence as well,” Milhouse said.

A Deputy Who Shows Up

Though he lives in Montgomery, Weems says Dallas County has become a second home.

“I love this town, I love this city, I love this county,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity for me to be a part of this.”

Whether he’s patrolling the streets or pumping up the crowd at a Keith High game, Deputy Weems is determined to show students that law enforcement officers can be mentors, supporters, and even cheerleaders.

And as long as the Keith High cheer squad keeps shouting “Tick‑Tick‑Boom,” you can bet he’ll be right there shouting it with them.

The Keith Bear Nation News was created by students in Keith High School's journalism class and in partnership with the Black Belt News Network's Teen Press Initiative within the Black Belt Media Lab. The lab also includes adult writers as community correspondents.

Read more about the first journalism class in the Teen Press Initiative here.

Read the Keith Bear Nation News newspaper here.