POTEAU – The Police Officer Training Academy at Kiamichi Tech graduated its third class of cadets on Friday.
Kiamichi Tech administration, academy instructors, friends and families celebrated the graduation of eight cadets at the Poteau Campus. The graduates of the academy are:
- Harlen Amos – Non-Commissioned Officer
- Travis Beasley – Heavener Police Department
- Shane Bohannon – Poteau Police Department
- Michael Hendricks – Gans Police Department
- Floyd Murray – Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police
- Dustin Ridner – Non-Commissioned Officer
- Cory Scott – Heavener Police Department
- Perry Tustin – LeFlore County Sheriff’s Office
The commencement ceremony included congratulatory remarks from Shelley Free, Kiamichi Tech Superintendent, a keynote address from Officer Eric Johnson of the Tulsa Police Department, and a presentation of awards, including the Jarid Taylor – Heart of a Hero award.
Taylor was a Bryan County Sheriff’s Deputy who was killed in the line of duty in January of 2020. To honor his legacy, the family created the Jarid Taylor – Heart of A Hero Award. The recipient of this award was voted on by his peers, for the cadet who best represented Jarid’s best qualities of bravery, patience, protectiveness, respectfulness, honesty, care and intelligence.
“Jarid loved his career and was a wonderful member of law enforcement, but an even better person who possessed many positive qualities,” said Taylor Burkhalter, cousin of Jarid Taylor, as she presented the award alongside Jarid’s children Emma and Raylan Taylor. “It is our hope, as the family of Jarid, that this award will help begin your long, successful and rewarding career in law enforcement. We are proud to present this award to Floyd Murray with the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department.”
Murray was also recognized for best overall academic performance in the academy and was awarded the C. Robert Reed Leadership Award, in honor of The Community State Bank’s Chairman of the Board and TCSB’s support of the academy, for his outstanding leadership and positive overall performance displayed throughout the academy.
Other awards and recognitions during the ceremony included Travis Beasley with the Heavener Police Department for best overall skills performance during the academy.
The academy garnered significant community, business and law enforcement support. In addition to The Community State Bank generous support for the academy from the early stages, Central National Bank and First National Bank also supply funding for student scholarships.
“At the inception of this academy, we knew we wanted to bring a quality training program to our region that would play a pivotal role in the workforce development of the law enforcement sector,” said Free. “To our faculty, staff, community partners and academy instructors, thank you for the investment you have made in the cadets and in this program.”
The CLEET accredited academy is a four-and-a-half-month program covering all facets of law enforcement education from driver training and firearms safety to defensive tactics and criminal investigations.
“This career is not for the faint of heart. You will likely experience the worst of humanity, but you will also see and be a part of the best of humanity,” said Mark Kannady, Director of the Police Officer Academy, at the close of the ceremony. “You will make a positive impact on people throughout your career. From here, go forward with strength, compassion, humility and bravery. God bless each of you for the courage you will display in the taking of the solemn oath as sworn officers of the law and for the extraordinary services you will provide and sacrifices you will make on behalf of your communities.”
For more information about the Police Officer Training Academy and future classes, contact Shannen Hamby with the Workforce and Economic Development Center at 918-647-4525 or email [email protected].
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