AMERICUS – South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Law Enforcement Academy Cadet Danny Nguyen of Americus was presented with two of the top three awards at the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy’s Class 16-01 Commencement Ceremony held recently in the Betty Deriso Pope Teleconference room in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus.
Nguyen earned the Top Gun Award for having the highest average during qualifying on the firing range, and the Class Representative Award, which is voted on by his classmates. Brandon Rivers of Cordele earned the Academic Achievement Award for having the high academic average in the class. Nguyen also received the Lt. Michael Sangster Scholarship and Cadet Jared Hansel Willis of Butler was presented with the Lou Crouch Scholarship.
“On behalf of the entire class, I would like to recognize and thank South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford, Major Brett Murray and Chief Vanessa Wall for their strong leadership and instruction,” said Nguyen when he spoke for the class. “We started with a class of 11 people that came from different backgrounds and different nationalities but we all had the same goal – to be professional police officers.  Today we are graduating and tomorrow we will be upholding the law and serving and protecting our communities.”
Butler Police Chief Jimmy Towns was guest speaker at the event and he commended the cadets for their perseverance and spoke highly about the SGTC Law Enforcement Academy.
“I challenge you to pursue your new career with enthusiasm and to continue to seek other training and education,” said Towns. “Never stop learning and always remember that this job has more to do with what you give rather than what you get. Always treat everyone with dignity and respect and keep a positive attitude. Choose your mentors carefully for their character, compassion, and good judgement. Remember your family and remember to be humble.”
Towns began his career as a law enforcement officer in April 1997. He attended the Columbus State University Police Academy in Columbus. He has been with the Butler Police Department for the last 19 years where he went through the ranks of patrolman from 1997 to 2004 when he was promoted to sergeant. He served in that capacity until 2008, when he was promoted to Assistant Chief of Police. He was appointed Chief of Police for the City of Butler in 2013.
Seven individuals were presented with their Technical Certificate of Credit and POST certification at the Class 16-01 Law Enforcement Academy graduation ceremony by South Georgia Tech President  John Watford, Ed.D. The seven cadets recognized included Jacob Cobb of Preston, Kimberly D. Mason of Cordele, Carey Molden III of Dawson, Danny Nguyen of Americus, Brandon Rivers of Cordele, Frederica Troutman of Cordelem and Jared Hansel Willis of Butler.
The LEA graduates received their POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) certification from SGTC as well as a technical certificate of credit that can be utilized toward a diploma or associate degree in criminal justice. The cadets underwent 18 weeks and over 700 hours of intense training mentally and physically.
SGTC President Watford and SGTC Dean for Academic Affairs Vanessa Wall welcomed the graduates, their families and friends and introduced the special guests at the graduation ceremony. Brett Murray, SGTC Law Enforcement Academy director, gave a class overview and Wall, who is also an SGTC Law Enforcement Academy instructor, introduced the guest speaker. Cadet Carey Molden III, gave the Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance and Cadet Brandon Rivers of Cordele gave the benediction.