BRCC honors 40th class of Basic Law Enforcement graduates

Staff Reports
·2 min read
The 40th graduating class of Blue Ridge Community College's Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy was honored at a pinning ceremony on Wednesday, June 1, in the College's Thomas Auditorium. Not pictured, Michael Paparozzi.
The 40th graduating class of Blue Ridge Community College's Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy was honored at a pinning ceremony on Wednesday, June 1, in the College's Thomas Auditorium. Not pictured, Michael Paparozzi.

The Blue Ridge Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) Academy hosted a pinning ceremony for Spring 2022 graduates on Wednesday, June 1. It was the College’s 40th graduating BLET class, and the event was held in the College’s Thomas Auditorium.

The graduates included Richard M. Gibbard, Tuan Luu, Michael R. Paparozzi, and Haley M. Thompson from Buncombe County; Jarrett C. Isaac from Catawba County; Wyatt M. Lankford from Cleveland County; Joshua C. Whetstone from Forsyth County; Wesley M. Adams, Isaiah J. Dwyer, Shelby L. Greene, Aaron T. Moody, and Marianna E. Tinoco from Henderson County; Julio C. Chavez and Ethan J. Edwards from Polk County; and Justin M. Fisher from Transylvania County.

The ceremony included a keynote address by Town of Fletcher Chief of Police Dan Terry, a presentation of class awards, remarks by class representative Justin Fisher and an awarding of certificates, according to a news release.

Haley Thompson, Marianna Tinoco, and Shelby Greene were each presented with the Most Improved Physical Training Award. The Informal Leadership Award and Top Academic Award were both received by Aaron Moody. The Top Gun Award went to Justin Fisher, and the Most Influential Instructor Award was presented to Sergeant John McMurray.

David Hensley, Blue Ridge Law Enforcement Training Coordinator and BLET School Director, expressed his pride in this graduating class.

“I’m very proud of our graduates; they persevered and have the hearts of servants,” Hensley said. "I was in the 40th graduating class at Southwestern Community College in 1997, so this is very close to my heart."

During the ceremony, Blue Ridge Dean of Public Safety Training Philip Hosmer thanked numerous local agencies for their continued support throughout the years. This support included hiring students, providing instructors and serving on advisory boards. Hosmer specifically mentioned the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office, Hendersonville Police Department, Brevard Police Department, Fletcher Police Department, Laurel Park Police Department and the Blue Ridge Community College Police Department.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: BRCC honors 40th class of Basic Law Enforcement graduates