WCC’s 102nd Basic Law Enforcement Training Class Graduates

WCC’s 102nd Basic Law Enforcement Training Class Graduates

Wilkesboro, N.C. – On Monday, December 16th, the Walker Center hosted the graduation ceremony for Wilkes Community College’s 102nd Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) class. Over 300 attendees gathered to celebrate the certification of 26 cadets as law enforcement officers. The event saw the presence of sheriffs, deputies, police chiefs, officers from various towns, state park rangers, highway patrol troopers, and SBI special agents, all there to support the graduates.

This year’s class was notable, being the largest to ever start the BLET program at Wilkes Community College, with a total of 34 cadets enrolled. Of those, 26 successfully passed the exam, marking the largest number of cadets to ever sit for the exam.

The keynote address was delivered by Judge Michael Duncan, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge of the 24th Judicial District. Cadet Lieutenant Jacob Shepherd, Cadet Lieutenant Mackenzie Duncan, and Cadet Sergeant Jeffrey Walton also spoke on behalf of their classmates.

Cadet Brayden Scott Hall received the Herald Martin Memorial HERO (Helping Everyone Respect Others) Scholarship for the BLET’s 102nd class. This scholarship was established in 2023 by friends and family in memory of Wilkes Sheriff’s Lieutenant Harold Martin. It is awarded to a cadet from each Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) class. Lieutenant Martin dedicated his career to serving the citizens of Wilkes County as a Deputy Sheriff from 1994 to 2016. He was certified as both a detention officer and a deputy sheriff. Lieutenant Martin was known for his devotion to the community and genuine care for people, making him a cherished figure throughout Wilkes County. At the time of his passing in 2022, he was survived by his wife Cecilia, five daughters—Heather, Taneisha, Taneika, Taylor, and Taniya—two sons, Harold and Easton, ten grandchildren, and five sisters.

Kenneth Graybeal, the director of BLET, remarked, “Some members of this class faced tragedy while others experienced triumph, but together, they overcame challenges to graduate.” He added, “They responded with chainsaws and cases of water to help others in the aftermath of a historic hurricane. I am confident that the members of this class have the desire and the ability to serve their communities in awe-inspiring ways.”

Wilkes Community College, a member of the North Carolina Community College System, is a public, two-year, open-door institution serving the people of Wilkes, Ashe, and Alleghany counties and beyond. Established in 1965, WCC has a proud history of meeting the educational, cultural, and workforce needs of our community. As we look to the future, Wilkes Community College provides programs, resources, and services that create quality educational, economic development, and cultural opportunities. WCC aspires to be an effective, learner-centered institution and a dynamic learning organization, preparing students for success in a changing world.

Photos:

102^nd Basic Law Enforcement Training Class graduates

Pictured with Cadell Hall is his wife,

daughter, and Celia Martin