December 2025 Law Enforcement Academy graduates (left to right) include: Back row: Nathan Weber, Charles Lynes, Truitt Blakely, Alexander Reyes, Aidan Wright, Alan Myelle, Anthony Bowersock, Alexander Gerbing, and Duncan Schult. Middle row: Miranda Fogel, Branson Wood, Christopher Pierce, Thomas Ahrens, Jacob Leonhard, Christopher Ritter, David Callahan, and Keegan Marquardt. Front row: Paige Prien, Jordan Alcaraz, Lillian Wallace, Cheyenne Mapes, Sawyer Strouse, Nate Connolly, William Pitch, Shelby Garafol, and Andrea Ottinger.
Blackhawk Technical College held a special ceremony Dec. 12 to recognize the efforts of 26 students who completed training through the college’s Law Enforcement Recruit Academy.
The largest class in six years, this was the 95th class to graduate from the academy, which provides the basic law enforcement training required to become a law enforcement officer in Wisconsin.
Academy Director Troy Egger encouraged the graduates to remain honorable and show heart when faced with adversity.
“You can’t be honorable only when you’re in uniform–it has to be all the time,” Egger, said. “Always do the right thing both in and out of uniform.” He explained, “Each one of you will make a mistake. What matters is how you react to it. Having heart is being able to stand up for what you believe in.”
Branson Wood, the class speaker, explained the reason behind why this class got along so well.
“The diversity of the class made us more successful,” said Wood, who works for the Janesville Police Department. “Everyone brought something to the table.”
Retired Lt. Patrick Frisch, Stoughton Police Department, received the Instructor of Excellence Award from the graduates, and retired Sgt. Steve Christensen, Rock County Sheriff’s Office, was the keynote speaker.
Four students also were recognized for awards of excellence:
Academic Achievement Award: Alexander Reyes
This award is given to the student with the highest achievement for each of the three end-of-phase tests. The class had a 91 percent average. Reyes had about a 96 percent average.
Outstanding Physical Fitness Award: Lillian Wallace
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: Truitt Blakely
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: Branson Wood
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 25-95:
- Thomas Ahrens, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
- Jordan Alcaraz, Town of Beloit Police Department
- Truitt Blakely, City of Monroe Police Department
- Anthony Bowersock, City of Beloit Police Department
- David Callahan, Jefferson Police Department
- Nate Connolly, Pre-Service
- Miranda Fogal, Edgerton Police Department
- Shelby Garafol, Oregon Police Department
- Alexander Gerbing, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
- Jacob Leonhard, Albany Police Department
- Charles Lynes, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
- Cheyenne Mapes, Green County Sheriff’s Office
- Keegan Marquardt, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
- Alan Myelle, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
- Andrea Ottinger, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
- Christopher Pierce, Jefferson Police Department
- William Pitch, Pre-Service
- Paige Prien, Green County Sheriff’s Office
- Alexander Reyes, Walworth County Sheriff’s Office
- Christopher Ritter, City of Evansville Police Department
- Duncan Schult, Oregon Police Department
- Sawyer Strouse, Rock County Sheriff’s Office
- Lillian Wallace, Pre-Service
- Nathan Weber, Janesville Police Department
- Branson Wood, Janesville Police Department
- Aidan Wright, Albany Police Department
About the Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy
Blackhawk’s Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy prepares students for certification as a law enforcement officer. Over a course of 720 instructional hours, recruits focus on the theories of law enforcement needed to be a sworn member of law enforcement in Wisconsin. In addition to the class instruction and hands-on practical exercises, recruits spend at least a half-hour of outside study time for every hour of class time. Upon completion, recruits are eligible for certification with the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board. Learn more at blackhawk.edu/recruitacademy