Forty new law enforcement officers are preparing to serve communities across Michigan after graduating from Washtenaw Community College's Police Academy.
The graduates completed an intensive 18-week training program that began May 11 and culminated in a September 11 ceremony that included the presentation of graduation certificates and badge-pinning honors, with family members, mentors and law enforcement representatives participating.
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The class completed 805 hours of instruction, earning 19 college credits while preparing for careers with police departments and sheriff's offices throughout the region.
The graduation ceremony coincided with the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, an occasion that WCC Senior Director of Public Service Training Joyce VanMeter used to remind graduates of the courage, sacrifice and responsibility associated with their chosen profession.
"Twenty-five years ago today, our nation witnessed extraordinary examples of what it means to answer a call to serve," VanMeter said in her prepared remarks. "Today, we remember those who answered that call and did not return home. We honor their courage and their sacrifice."
VanMeter challenged the graduates to carry forward the values of courage, integrity, compassion and duty as they begin their law enforcement careers.
"The badge you are about to wear will give you authority, but authority alone does not make a good police officer. What matters is how you choose to use it," she said.
Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette delivered the keynote address. Schuette is himself a graduate of the Washtenaw Police Academy, having completed the program in 1991 before beginning a law enforcement career that has spanned more than three decades.
Class President Brendon Moss, representing the Melvindale Police Department, reflected on the challenges recruits faced during the academy and the diverse experiences they brought to the program.
The class included military veterans, emergency medical technicians, corrections officers, college graduates, college athletes and individuals following in the footsteps of family members in law enforcement.
"We were challenged physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually," Moss said. "We confronted great adversity in the academy."
He credited the academy's instructors with preparing recruits for the responsibilities ahead.
"The instructors showed up in every moment with the intention to make us the best officers we can be," Moss said. "They didn't hoard their knowledge… they impressed it upon us."
Award Winners
WCC Police Academy instructors bestowed the following awards upon graduates:
MCCOLES Outstanding Recruit Award: Michael Gillmore, DeWitt Police Department
High Academic Average Award: Garrett Deiners (98.42%), Monroe County Sheriff's Office
Physical Fitness Training Excellence: Juan Sanchez, Westland Police Department
Emergency Vehicle Operation Outstanding Performance: Javante Underwood, Dearborn Police Department
Firearms Excellence: Joseph Eberle, University of Michigan Police Department
Subject Control Excellence: Micheal Gillmore, DeWitt Police Department
Train Like Troy Award: Matthew Manley, Ann Arbor Police Department
Fall 2026 Police Academy Graduates
The 40 graduates, listed by their respective law enforcement agencies, are:
Ann Arbor Police Department: George Ames IV, Michael Dorantes, Matthew Manley
Blackman-Leoni Department of Public Safety: Taylor Chalecki, Zachary Dutton
Dearborn Police Department: Javante Underwood
DeWitt Police Department: Micheal Gillmore
East Lansing Police Department: Nicholas Dennison
Hillsdale County Sheriff's Office: Chase Ryan
Jackson County Sheriff's Office: Matthew Davis, Grace Sheffer
Jackson Police Department: Sofia Silvestri
Lenawee County Sheriff's Office: Caleb Chapman, Jeffery Harrison, Ryan Snow
Melvindale Police Department: Khaled Ahmed, Vincent Cox, Luis Martinez, Brendon Moss
Monroe City Police Department: Robert Adams, Grace Kemmerling
Monroe County Sheriff's Office: Garrett Deiners, Lucas D'Orazio, Cameron Gilbert, Dustin Hammond, Jett Owens, Jonathon Walker
Morenci Police Department: Bailey Brandly
Pittsfield Police Department: Claire Jordan, Chase Kemp
Redford Township Police Department: Matthew Cox
University of Michigan Police Department: Andrew Cadavieco, Joseph Eberle, Brandon Helle
Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office: Nathan Ratka
Westland Police Department: Abigale Mitera, Juan Sanchez
Ypsilanti Police Department: Marcus Johnson, Jacob Meldrum
Pre-service: Luke Kasprzak