Twelve New LEOs Earn New Badges
By GARY STALLARD
for AC News Service
The Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy on Monday held a ceremony honoring its Class 118 graduates as they head into their respective law enforcement careers.
Friends, family and fellow law enforcement officers showed up to pay their respects inside AC’s Hudgins Hall.
Cadets earning class honors included Amber Lee (Top Gun, Valedictorian), Grant Wilson (Top Driver) and Jonas Guy (Physical Fitness Award).
Interim Police Chief and Academy TCOLE (Texas Commission on Law Enforcement_ instructor Ashley Jowell lauded the graduating cadets for their perseverance throughout the grueling training.
“Today marks the culmination of months of hard work, dedication, sacrifice and growth,” Jowell said. “You entered this program as individuals with shared goals, but you leave it as a united class bonded by experience and readiness to serve with integrity.
“This academy is not just a place of learning. It’s a crucible where character is tested, leadership is forged and the foundation for public service is laid. Class 118 has met every challenge head-on.”
Keynote speaker Judge Jefferson Davis, 145th District Court Judge, Nacogdoches County, offered remarks ranging from movie quotes to his personal observations of law enforcement officers.
“Law enforcement officers have shaped me,” Davis said. “I feel I’ve had a front-row seat all my days to watch the good works involved with law enforcement.”
Davis shared some of his witnessed experiences, including the humorous and the tragic as warning of sorts to the cadets about facing the unexpected. Each of his stories related how despite all the training involved, there are those situations not covered in any curriculum – stories that included an au naturel intoxicated driver and “guard donkeys” at a wrecking yard.
“You’re going to be faced with some incredibly unusual situations,” Davis said. “Those situations will call for you to improvise, to think outside the box. I encourage you to do so, and always fall back on your training.
“You will have the unique opportunity to touch countless lives. It may be as simple as encouraging words or guiding someone in the right direction. It’s a gift, and I encourage you to take advantage of every one of those opportunities.”
Valedictorian Lee praised her classmates for their shared bond throughout the rigors of the academy.
“As we’re here reflecting on this journey, it’s hard not to reflect on what brought us here to this moment: the late nights, the early mornings, the extremely hot and cold days, the challenges, the tears, the laughter, the pain,” Lee said.
“On January 13th we started as individuals with one common goal. Today, I’m grateful to say we became a family. These men and women pushed each other, gave each other motivation and fought for one another.”
Academy Training Manager Lt. Logan Finch wrapped up the ceremony with reminders of the cadets’ futures.
“I just want to say that while today marks the end of your training, it’s still just the beginning of your lifetime of service,” Finch said. “You’ve chosen a profession that’s not just a job. It’s the answer to a call. You’ve been burdened with the gift of service, and all of you are answering that call.
“Remember that when you leave the academy, the badge you’re wearing isn’t just made of metal. It’s made of trust: Trust from the community you’re going to protect, trust from your colleagues with whom you’ll work and trust from the loved ones who believe in your character.”
Graduating cadets of Class 18 (along with listed home towns) were as follows:
James C. Collins (Nacogdoches), Christopher A. Cox (Onalaska), Darrell D. Derbin (Nacogdoches), Derek G. Foster (New Caney), Jonas P. Guy (Lufkin), Luke J. Jones (Groveton), Amber M. Lee (Nacogdoches), Samantha I. Love (Livingston), Yarely Ortiz (Nacogdoches), Odalia I. Penado (Cleveland), Jared C. Seagroves (Nacogdoches) and Grant K. Wilson (Lufkin).
The academy staff includes Ashley Jowell, Chief of Police; Lt. Logan Finch, Training Manager; and Kim Capps, Administrative Assistant.
Class 118 instructors included Lt. Logan Finch (Angelina College Police Department), Chief Ashley Jowell (ACPD), Doug Conn (Jasper County Sheriff’s Office); Daniel Boots (ACPD); Randy Holland (ACPD); Bill Gates (Angelina College Fire Academy); Trent Lozano (Texas Municipal Police Association); Cpl. Brad Davis (Lufkin PD); Adam Coats (Central ISD PD); Sgt. Nathan Jessup (Nacogdoches PD); Sgt. Corey Bean (Texas Department of Public Safety); Amy Wren (Nacogdoches County District Attorney’s Office); Danielle Lewis (Burke Center); Capt. Alton Lenderman (Angelina County Sheriff’s Office); Pam Hollis (CPR Instructor, Angelina College); Kim Riddle (Harold’s House); Josh Hadnot (Jasper ISD PD); and Danny Weise (Physical Training Instructor).
Gary Stallard’s email address is gstallard@angelina.edu.
Photo captions:
Group Photo:
The 12 graduating cadets of the Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy Class 118 pose prior to Monday’s ceremony held in AC’s Hudgins Hall. Picture with the cadets are (far left) Training Manager Lt. Logan Finch and (far right) Chief Ashley Jowell. (Gary Stallard photo for the AC News Service)
Judge Jefferson Davis:
Keynote speaker Judge Jefferson Davis, 145th District Court Judge (Nacogdoches) address the crowd during Monday’s ceremony. The Angelina College Law Enforcement Academy graduated 12 new law enforcement officers in a ceremony held inside AC’s Hudgins Hall. (Gary Stallard photo for the AC News Service)
Amber Lee Valedictorian:
Amber Lee, Valedictorian and Top Gun Award recipient for the Angelina College Law Enforcement Class 118, address her fellow cadets and supporters during Monday’s ceremony. The academy graduated 12 new law enforcement officers in a ceremony held inside AC’s Hudgins Hall. (Gary Stallard photo for the AC News Service)