The ceremony was held Wednesday, May 19, in the La Forge Hall Gym on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Alpha Class 2017 graduates include Danny Alanis, Daniel Arce, Jr., Diego Blanco, Jr., Julio C. Chacón, Adrian De La Cruz, Roberto Espitia, Ricardo Flores, Fabian Galvan, Sasha M. Galvan, Gennise Garcia, Abraham R. Garza, and Carlos C. Hernandez.

Also graduating are David L. Hernandez, Jesus Alberto Lopez, Paul Vinnie Moreno, Lane Quinn Muzquiz, Michael D. Nash, Noemi Isabel Olivera, Antonio Perez III, Brenda E. Salazar, Trevor Anthony Sanchez, John Lionel Silvas, Michael Simon, Carlee D. Taylor, Ricardo Gabriel Valdez, Daniel A. Vasquez and Reynaldo Zamora.

Andy Davila, academy coordinator, was master of ceremonies, while SWTJC President, Dr. Hector Gonzales welcomed family, friends and special guests.

Gonzales also commended the academy instructors and coordinator for training and preparing the cadets.

“You all have a lot to be proud of, these men and women have studied hard and have been tested all for the tough job of being a peace officer” added Gonzales.

According to Davila, 30 students started the academy in January, and 27 graduated. All graduates passed the state-licensing exam of the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE). Class average on the state exam was 82.

38th Judicial District Attorney Criminal Investigator, Shayne Gilland was the guest speaker. Gilland, an SWTJC adjunct instructor, has been in law enforcement since 1990.

Class president, Antonio Perez, III also spoke at this year's ceremony, thanking his family and the families of his fellow cadets for their support during the academy.

Top graduates recognized for excelling in various aspects of the academy were Abraham R. Garza for the high qualification scores in firearms.

Jesus Alberto Lopez was recognized with the high qualification score in the driving course, while Danny Alaniz received recognition for having the high qualification score in mechanics of arrest. Trevor Anthony Sanchez had the high qualification score on physical fitness.

Davila read the names of all graduates. President Gonzales, Johnny Guzman dean of applied sciences, division chair, J.J. Suarez assisted in the presentation of certificates of completion to all members of the class.

After the presentation of certificates, four graduates were pinned with their respective badges from the agencies which have hired them.

Uvalde Police Department Chief of Police, Eric Herrera pinned David Hernandez; Uvalde County Sheriff, Charles Mendeke pinned Roberto Espitia and Michael Simon, while Carlee D. Taylor was pinned by Carrizo Springs Consolidated Independent School District Chief of Police, Eddie Cortez.  

A small reception for the graduates, family, and friends was held immediately following the ceremony.

Currently, the law enforcement academy is applications for the 2017 Fall Academy, which is scheduled to begin August 7, in Uvalde.