“New officers graduate from Montana Law Enforcement Academy” |
| New officers graduate from Montana Law Enforcement Academy Posted: 10 Dec 2010 06:26 PM PST HELENA- It was only 10 days ago that Montana Highway Patrol Trooper David DeLaittre was killed in the line of duty, a sobering reminder that law enforcement officials put their lives on the line every day. But despite the danger, 36 new officers will be heading to their new jobs on Monday to protect and serve the public. The News Station's Melissa Anderson attended the Montana Law Enforcement Officers graduation ceremony that was held in Helena on Friday. The 36 newly-sworn graduates of the Academy affirmed their code of ethics to safeguard lives and property and protect all persons against deception. Law officers from Basic Class 142 came before their family, friends, and fellow officers and teachers to accept the responsibility of public service as peace officers. They range from police officers to sheriff's deputies, and will soon be in the line of duty. They paused for a moment of silence in honor Trooper DeLaittre, who was killed in a gun battle during a highway traffic stop near Three Forks. Kevin Olson, the Academy administrator, noted, "Trooper DeLaittre was 23 years young. He had just barely completed two years of noble service. To David, I say thank you, for your brave courageous and exemplary service. News of this tragic event actually reached the class throughout the night. Yet as I stood before them I paused and looked into their eyes and I saw exactly what I needed to. Yet, I also saw confidence, courage, and a growing desire to serve." Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock, who oversees the MHP, told the graduates, YYet you came to this career after having a front row seat in witnessing the challenges and honors of serving the public as a peace officer." Graduate Mike Gavagan of West Yellowstone summed it all up for his classmates, saying, "We all thank our family and friends, our loved ones very much for everything you've gone through, and will go through for us. And I'd like to take this moment to give our loved ones a round of applause." Several awards were given out to students whose exceptional qualities shone through during the 12-week training session. Officer James Lusby, who will serve in the Bozeman Police Department, received four such awards, and he said, "I was very surprised. It was a very humbling experience, just the whole culmination of the class voting for me in that way, it was very humbling." Over one-third of Basic 142's graduating class have family in law enforcement, while others are in it because they believe they were meant for the job. Justin Stokes, headed to the Cut Bank Police Department, noted, "Well, I think it's to help the people. I'm fifth generation in my family to work in law enforcement. I'm following in my grandfather and my fathers' footsteps in Montana; I'm third to graduate from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy. " Paul Thigpen of the Bozeman Police Department commented, "It's such a relief, it's just been a great twelve weeks, first class training, a great group of people, great instructors. But we're all excited to be done and actually start working." Paul's parents, Tom & Juliana, said, "We're very supportive of it. I think he's always had a tendency to want to serve others and I think he'll be very good at it." The graduates will proudly begin serving their communities on Monday. This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service — if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read our FAQ page at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php |
| You are subscribed to email updates from Content Keyword RSS To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 comments:
Post a Comment