Tyler Junior College recently held a graduation ceremony for 19 cadets who completed its 30th Basic Peace Officer Class.
The ceremony was at the Liberty Hall in downtown Tyler.
The graduates completed 21 weeks of training, which included driving exercises and firearms.
Doyle Lynch, director of the TJC Law Enforcement Academy, said the men and women are committed to helping their communities.
“It’s a challenge today in our communities, and they took the challenge, accepted it and excelled at it. And you’ve got 19 great young men and women today that are going to serve our community," Lynch said.
Class valedictorian was Dillon Hartsfield of Longview Police Department, and Donald Henson of Tyler Police Department was named Top Gun.
The graduates will be headed to several East Texas law enforcement agencies.
Graduates and their departments are:
Tyler Police Department
• Luis Avelar
• Braden Barnes
• Donald Henson
• Trevor Henson
• Gavin Kirkhart
• James Nipp
• Jonathan Phillips
• Lyndsey Rogers
• Stephen Todd
• Jon Whitham
Smith County Sheriff’s Office
• Zach Allen
• Trevor Hodges
• Chase Vinson
• Jake Williams
Whitehouse Police Department
• Leah Davidson
Longview Police Department
• Dillon Hartsfield
• Colby Price
• Ashley Rouse
Tyler Fire Marshal’s Office
• Larry Crowson