17 New Deputies Graduate Gus George Academy

RICHMOND, TX — The 35th Class of the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy was honored during graduation ceremonies held Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017 at the Rosenberg Civic and Convention Center.

The 35th class included 17 graduates, all of whom passed the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement licensing exam on their first attempt.

The class began on Feb. 20 and concluded on Nov. 2 with graduation.

Through eight months, the 17 cadets who successfully completed the program received 904 hours of training. Subjects included the Penal Code, Arrest Search and Seizure, Code of Criminal Procedure, Police Driving, Firearms Training, Traffic Stops, Criminal Investigations and much more.

The culmination of their training was two weeks of scenario-based training using simunitions (pistols with live paint rounds) where the cadets are put in situations and they have to react and make decisions based on their knowledge and training from the academy.

Captain James Burger, Director of the Academy, was the emcee for the ceremonies.

Candasha Howell served as president of the class. Other officers included: Benjamin Masters, vice-president; Miranda Parkin, secretary/treasurer; and guidon bearer, Michael Hogan.

During the graduation ceremony, cadets were honored for being tops in the categories of Physical Training, Precision Driving, Academics and Marksmanship.

Cadet Benjamin Masters won the “David Braunholz Top Gun Award” for marksmanship. The award is named for the late Sheriff’s Office Deputy, David Braunholz, who died in the line of duty.

Masters also was tops for the Physical Training Proficiency.

Additional award winners included, Precision Driving, Danny F. Khawaja; and Academics, Miranda Parkin.

Class members included Bernard Baiye, Joe Christie, Elisama Gonzalves, Grant Gremillion, Warren Charles Hearne, Michael Hogan, Candasha Howell, Nicole Junior, Danny Khawaja, Benjamin Masters, Tyler Mican, Miranda Parkin, Royce Romero, Johnathan Sanchez, Kristin Savinon, David Smith and Raynaldo Torres.

Along with Captain Burger, staff members at the Academy include instructors Lt. Jim Pokluda, Sgt. Carlos Castillo, Sgt. Judy Cervenka, and Sgt. Casey Schmidt. Academy support staff members include Dottie Allen and Cyndi Villemaire.

Nine of the cadets have been hired by the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office.

Image: Graduates and instructors for the 35th Class of the Gus George Law Enforcement Academy include: front row, from left, Kristen Savinon, Nicole Junior, David Smith, Miranda Parkin and Elisama J. Gonzalves; second row: Sheriff Troy Nehls, Sgt. Judy Cervenka, Candasha Howell, Grant Gremillion, Benjamin Masters, Johnathan Sanchez, Bernard Baiye, Raynaldo Torres, Jr. Captain James Burger, Director; and Sgt. Carlos Castillo; and third row, Sgt. Eddie Vaught, Sgt. Casey Schmidt, Tyler Mican, Danny F. Khawaja, Michael Hogan, Warren Hearne, Joe Christie, Royce Romero and Lt. Jim Pokluda, Assistant Director.