On front row, from left, VGCC Basic Law Enforcement Training Class 99 graduates Reginald Williams, Jr., Joshua Justice, Montoya Stevenson, Jeremy Horne, David Trenor and Lamar Hargrove; on back row, from left, graduates Ethan Campbell, Joe Wright, Cortney Hargrove, Rufus Sales and Katelyn Jensen with interim VGCC law enforcement training coordinator Glen Boyd.
(VGCC Photo)
Eleven cadets graduated on Dec. 17, 2014, from the Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program at Vance-Granville Community College, in a ceremony held in the Civic Center on Main Campus. After passing the state certification exam, all are authorized to work in any law enforcement agency in North Carolina.
Graduates of VGCC’s 99th BLET class included Rufus Sales, chief of Durham County Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Enforcement; Reginald Lloyd Williams, Jr., of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office; Joshua David Justice of the Henderson Police Department; David Donald Trenor of N.C. Parks & Recreation; Lamar Pernell Hargrove of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office; Jeremy Christopher Horne and Montoya Shaundel Stevenson, both of the Warren County Sheriff’s Office; Ethan Vernon Campbell, Cortney Jakayla Hargrove, Katelyn Melissa Jensen and Joe Griffin Wright.
In welcoming remarks, Dr. Stelfanie Williams, the president of VGCC, lauded the college’s “strong history of training exceptional law enforcement officers.” She also said that VGCC’s vision statement specifically cites working in partnership with the community. “BLET is a fine example of this partnership,” the president said. “Our program would not be a success without the state and local law enforcement agencies in our region that sponsor cadets, hire graduates and provide instructors.” Williams congratulated the cadets on their achievements. “I wish each of you successful careers protecting and serving the public good,” she told them.
Graduates selected Sgt. Kevin White of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, one of the instructors for the program, to be their guest speaker. “You saw challenges, you accepted those challenges and you prevailed, and I commend you for that,” White said to the class. He added that what is typically thought of as “law enforcement” would actually be just one small part of their jobs. “It’s largely about being with our citizens in their darkest hours, and showing empathy,” White said.
In her remarks, Cadet Montoya Stevenson, president of the class, reflected on “four long months of training and tests,” and thanked their instructors, who “have instilled in us the resources that we need to have a successful and safe law enforcement career.”
Cadet Rufus Sales also spoke in order to tell his unique story. “I came through this program over 35 years ago, graduated, worked in law enforcement for 30 years, retired [as chief of Butner Public Safety], and now I’ve made this journey again,” Sales said. He said that the program was extremely challenging for a man who will soon turn 60 years old, but he received strong support from his younger classmates. Sales also saluted the families and friends of the graduates for the sacrifices that they had made.
Sales presented a plaque to Glen Boyd, VGCC’s interim coordinator of law enforcement training, to express the cadets’ appreciation for his leadership. Cadet Jeremy Horne presented another of the program’s instructors, Sgt. W.B. Lilley of the Vance County Sheriff’s Office, with an award for exemplary service.
Boyd handed out awards to the top students in the class in three categories. Joe Wright earned the Physical Training Award for scoring highest in the various fitness tests the cadets undergo. Lamar Hargrove won the “Top Gun” Award for having the highest accuracy score in weapons firing. David Trenor took home the Academic Achievement Award for having the top grade average in the written tests each cadet must pass. Providing the invocation and benediction for the graduation ceremony was Dr. Tolokun Omokunde, chaplain for the Oxford Police Department and Granville County Sheriff’s Office. For more information on the BLET program, contact Glen Boyd at (252) 738-3263 or boydg@vgcc.edu.