Aug. 24, 2009

VCU Police Academy recognizes 18 at 35th Basic Academy graduation exercises

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By Mike Porter

Presiding over the VCU Police Academy 35th Basic Law Enforcement Academy Exercises: From left, VCU Police Capt. David Q. Welch; VCU Interim Police Chief Col. Carlton G. Edwards; Judge Cleo E. Powell; Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration John M. Bennett; Academy Director Capt. Grant J. Warren; and Assistant Academy Director Sgt. William L. Butters. Photo by Mike Porter, VCU Office of University Communications and Public Relations.
Presiding over the VCU Police Academy 35th Basic Law Enforcement Academy Exercises: From left, VCU Police Capt. David Q. Welch; VCU Interim Police Chief Col. Carlton G. Edwards; Judge Cleo E. Powell; Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration John M. Bennett; Academy Director Capt. Grant J. Warren; and Assistant Academy Director Sgt. William L. Butters. Photo by Mike Porter, VCU Office of University Communications and Public Relations.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Police Academy awarded diplomas to 18 men and women who completed training in the 35th Basic Academy. 

VCU Interim Police Chief Col. Carlton G. Edwards presented diplomas to the graduates during ceremonies Friday at the W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts.

Judge Cleo E. Powell, Virginia Court of Appeals, served as keynote speaker and recognized the graduates for their accomplishment.

“Always take the high road,” Powell said. “Your temperament must always reflect respect for the badge, respect for the uniform you wear and respect for the people you serve.” 

VCU Police Academy graduates received a badge from family members, friends and loved ones. Here, graduate Stephen G. Adt (left) received his badge at the conclusion of the graduation exercises from his father, Joseph Adt. Photo by: Mike Porter, VCU Office of University Communications and Public Relations.
VCU Police Academy graduates received a badge from family members, friends and loved ones. Here, graduate Stephen G. Adt (left) received his badge at the conclusion of the graduation exercises from his father, Joseph Adt. Photo by: Mike Porter, VCU Office of University Communications and Public Relations.

Class members received training in criminal and traffic law, emergency vehicle operations, firearms, defensive tactics, ethics, investigations, victimology, anti-hate and terrorism, crisis intervention and community policing.

Stefanie Cosel represented the 35th basic academy as class president.

“It was a fully loaded, high-speed, information-packed 15 weeks,” Cosel said. “In a very short period of time and under a great deal of stress, we became friends, we became family and we became three-five.” 

The graduating class includes representatives of the VCU Police, the Virginia Union Police Department, the Capitol Police Department, the LaCrosse, Va., Police Department and a criminal justice intern from VCU’s L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

The graduates are:

  • Marquia S. Abernathy, Division of Capitol Police
  • Stephen G. Adt, VCU Police Department
  • David G. Baker, Jr., Virginia Union University Police Department
  • Michael L. Brandon, VCU Police Department
  • Stefanie Michele Cosel, VCU Police Department
  • Gregory L. Felton, VCU Police Department
  • Della C.J. Herlong, VCU Police Department
  • Reginald D. Hester, Division of Capitol Police
  • Joel J. Jeffress, VCU Police Department
  • Aaron Eli Jones, Division of Capitol Police
  • Jessica L. Lamkin, VCU Police Department
  • Michael C. Newman, VCU Police Department
  • Raymond E. Peay, Division of Capitol Police
  • Jomo Raqib, VCU Police Department
  • Christopher H. Riedemann, VCU Police Department
  • Tanika R. Troublefield, VCU Police Department
  • Enrique Valladares, VCU Intern
  • Timothy S. Vincent, La Cross Police Department

Herlong received the class award for scholastic achievement. Jones was recognized for best marksmanship. Cosel received the best emergency vehicle operations training award. Physical fitness awards were presented to Adt, Cosel, Felton, Herlong, Hester, Lamkin, Newman, Riedemann and Vincent.  Baker was recognized for most improved fitness and was also presented with the best combined achievement award.