Blackhawk Technical College held a special ceremony Friday to recognize the efforts of 25 students who completed training through the college’s Law Enforcement Recruit Academy.

This was the 92nd class to graduate from the academy, which provides the basic law enforcement training required to become a law enforcement officer in Wisconsin.

“If you put in the work, there’s nothing more satisfying than doing this job right. When you help people, and they express their appreciation, there is no better reward,” Troy Egger, Academy Director, said to the graduates.

Benjamin Casado, class speaker, said this academy class was comprised of leaders.

“One day we will be sitting in the crowd as seasoned law enforcement officers at a graduation welcoming in the new generation. I hope we all continue to get better because we will be their example, be their mentors and be their leaders,” said Casado, who works for the Green County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Richard LeFeber received the Instructor of Excellence Award from the graduates, and Detective Jeff Winiarski of the Janesville Police Department was the keynote speaker. He teaches the defensive tactics class.

Three students also were recognized for four different awards of excellence:

Academic Achievement Award: Benjamin Casado

This award is given to the student with the highest achievement for each of the three end-of-phase tests. The class had a 90 percent average. Casado had more than 96 percent.

Outstanding Physical Fitness Award: Ian Grice

To graduate, each student has to pass a physical readiness test. This award is given to the student who demonstrated outstanding physical fitness and also showed the most effort in the 32 hours of physical fitness throughout the past 18 weeks.

Ryan Copeland Marksmanship Award Recipient: Nolen Bakken

This award is named after Officer Ryan Copeland, a 2013 academy graduate who was killed in an on-duty traffic crash in 2015 and is given to a student who is ranked top in his class for marksmanship.

Terry Fell Leadership Award: Benjamin Casado

This award is named after Terry Fell, who was the academy director for 10 years and former City of Beloit Police Chief, Rock County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy and Rock County Board member. Fell’s legacy is of leadership, honor and sense of duty. The award is given to a student who embodies those characteristics.

Members of Class 24-92:

• Nolen Bakken, Edgerton Police Department
• Devin Bebar, Janesville Police Department
• Kenton Beishir, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
• Walker Bown, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
• Benjamin Casado, Green County Sheriff’s Office
• Paola Delgado, Evansville Police Department
• Kaleb Dix, Janesville Police Department
• Kyle Dix, Mount Horeb Police Department
• Ross Fitzgerald, Janesville Police Department
• Braden Folbrecht, Mount Horeb Police Department
• Tyr Freyr, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
• Ian Grice, Beloit Police Department
• Avery Hanel, Janesville Police Department
• Andrew Hegle, Janesville Police Department
• Benjamin Jacobs, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
• Gavin Lerma, Town of Beloit Police Department
• Brady Molander, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
• Cody Offord, Oregon Police Department
• Cameron Reinders, Jefferson Police Department
• William Sanft, Monroe Police Department
• Rebecca Scerbicke, Janesville Police Department
• Anndrea Terry, Albany Police Department
• Derek Weum, Stoughton Police Department
• Phillip Young, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
• Chase Ziegelbauer, Janesville Police Department

About the Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy