Angelina College’s Law Enforcement Academy recently performed a “Badging Ceremony” as it honored the 21 graduating members of Class 121, six of which are from Polk County.
The six cadets from Polk County include Holly Cox of Onalaska, and Andrew Arocha, Patrick Bayless, Demario Hickman, Nicholas McClenathan and Hannah Vickers, all of Livingston.
Cadets earning individual awards included Kristen Fuentes, Valedictorian; Robert Keith Bradford, Physical Agility Award; Andrew Arocha, Top Driver Award; and Connor Harry, Top Shot Award.
Amy Wren, District Attorney for Angelina County, served as keynote speaker, praising the new officers for their commitments to their new profession.
“Be proud of who you are, but do not be arrogant,” Wren said. “You have chosen a noble profession, and you should be proud to say you are a law enforcement officer. There are badge-wearers, and there are cops. You do not want to be a badge-wearer, the person who believes the badge makes them special or entitled. You want to be a cop. Cops are proud to perform their duties every day and live a life they should be proud of.”
Fuentes, the class valedictorian, reminded her fellow cadets of the rigors they’d endured and survived while encouraging them to remember why they’d chosen to endure it.
“We are one step closer to being where we want to be,” Fuentes said. “We’re entering a profession that demands integrity, courage and compassion. I pray we stay grounded, fall back on our training and make decisions with confidence.”
Academy staff includes Dr. Esther Campbell, Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs; Ivan Kaminsky, Law Enforcement Academy Lead Instructor; Monica Newberg, TCOLE Coordinator; and Cody Christopher, Law Enforcement Continuing Education Training Manager.
For further information on Angelina College’s Law Enforcement Academy, email policeacademy@angelina.edu.
