HELENA – The commissioning of 60 new officers from the Montana Law Enforcement Academy was celebrated in Helena on Friday.
Montana Attorney General Tim Fox commended the class for choosing a profession that runs toward danger and not from it.
Many graduates and attendees wore green in honor of Trooper Wade Palmer, who was shot in the line of duty on March 15 outside of Missoula.
The Attorney General also shared a message from Trooper Palmer’s wife who said the graduates were joining a great law enforcement community.
Graduates were also recognized for their achievements in class.
Helena Police Officer Megan Coleman was recognized for her scores in defensive tactics and demonstrating exceptional qualities of honor, pride, integrity, duty, loyalty, and service.
“It was an eyeopener; Trooper Palmer getting ambushed, but it also kind of brings you together to see the support of the community…the other officers,” Coleman stated.
“I mean, the law enforcement family is huge and amazing in Montana. We’re so fortunate to live in Montana and the support of the people.”
The 60 graduates will go to 39 different state, county, or tribal agencies.
-Christine Sullivan reporting for MTN News
Several of the graduates received awards for their performance during training:
- Alexandra Schwier of the Helena Police Department received the Don Williams Award, which is given to the officer elected by the class as Class Representative. The award is given in memory of Thompson Falls Police Chief Don Williams, who was killed in the line of duty in 1974.
- Tanner Thompson of the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office received the Health and Physical Fitness Award, which is given to the officer who participates and excels in the Hard Rock Challenge and achieves the class’s best score in the Montana Physical Abilities Test.
- Joshua Marceau of Blackfeet Law Enforcement received the Paul Williams Award, which is given to the officer who provided inspiration to the staff and students through a display of unwavering dedication and determination. The award is given in memory of the late Chouteau County Sheriff Paul Williams.
- Tara Oster of the Kalispell Police Department received the Jack Wiseman Award, which is given to the officer selected by his/her peers as the most outstanding officer. The award is given in tribute to Jack Wiseman, who served as a training officer and commander at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for more than 22 years.
- James Cookman of the Rosebud County Sheriff’s Office received the Joe May Award, which is given to the officer who displays exceptional leadership and motivation. The award is given in honor of the late Joe May, one of the people credited with the conception and creation of the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
- Brian Abel of the Billings Police Department received the Glenn Janes Award, which is given to the student who demonstrates the highest level of proficiency in the Police Vehicle Operation Course. The award is given in memory of the late Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Glenn Janes, who served as a driving instructor at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy.
- Taylor Crouch of Great Falls Police Department received the Jimmy Kaaro award, which is given to the officer who achieves the highest level of academic standing in each class. The award is given in honor of retired Fergus County Sheriff Jimmy Kaaro.
- Megan Coleman of the Helena Police Department received the Josh Rutherford Award, which is given to the officer who achieves the highest scores in defensive tactics. The award is given in memory of Blaine County Deputy Sheriff Josh Rutherford, who was a defensive tactics instructor with the Montana Law Enforcement Academy when he lost his life in the line of duty in 2003.
- Tara Oster of the Kalispell Police Department received the Alex Mavity Award, which is given to the student who achieves the highest accumulated score on all academic and skills-based training. The award is given in honor of Billings Police Department Detective Alex Mavity, who was killed in the line of duty in 1989.
- Megan Coleman of the Helena Police Department received the Hal Vogelsang Award, which is given to the officer who displays the highest degree of fidelity as determined by Academy staff. The recipient has demonstrated exceptional qualities of honor, pride, integrity, duty, loyalty, and service to not only the class, but the staff and entire profession. The award is given in honor of Hal Vogelsang, who served as an FBI special agent for more than 36 years, and as a training officer at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy for more than 25 years.
- Joshua Whaley of the Sweetgrass County Sheriff’s Office received the Allen Kimery Award, which is given in recognition of outstanding marksmanship and the class’s highest ranking in firearms training through marksmanship, safety, and tactical proficiency. The award is given in memory of Missoula County Sheriff Deputy Allen Kimery, who was killed in the line of duty in 1984.
The roster of Class #167 is available here.
