Students from across Virginia graduate State Police Youth Cadet Academy

This week 42 high schools students from across the Commonwealth experienced life as a Virginia State Police trainee.

They became the 27th generation of the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Training Program, which is co-sponsored by the Virginia State Police and The American Legion. At a ceremony held at the Virginia State Police Academy in Chesterfield County, the teenagers were presented their graduation certificates Friday (July 22, 2016) afternoon.

The 27th Session of the Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Training program is a weeklong training curriculum for high school students who have completed their junior year. Cadets experience a life similar to a trooper-in-training, complete with daily room inspections and instruction by state police troopers on Department operations, crime scene investigations, officer survival, undercover operations, driver improvement, scuba training, defensive tactics and firearms safety. The students even had the opportunity to meet with Governor Terry McAuliffe and get a tour of the Executive Mansion and State Capitol.

As part of their training, the cadets also undergo a variety of physical agility exercises used in the Virginia State Police applicant testing process.

“What better way for a young person interested in a law enforcement career to experience first-hand if this is a calling they want to pursue,” says Colonel W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “It’s a valuable experience which not only gives them instruction and training from our Academy staff and provides a sample of the training a Virginia State Trooper undergoes, but it’s also a positive way for our Department to interact with today’s youth.”

Cadet Zowie M. Ramsey-Hancock of Gretna, Va., was selected for the Jessica J. Cheney Spirit Award. The annual award is presented in memory of Trooper Jessica J. Cheney who was the first cadet to graduate from the program and go on to become a trooper. Trooper Cheney died of injuries suffered Jan. 17, 1998, after being struck by a vehicle as she directed traffic at a crash scene on Route 1, north of Fredericksburg. The award is presented to the cadet who demonstrates the same motivation, drive and enthusiasm that Trooper Cheney displayed as a cadet.

Additional award recipients include:

Physical Fitness Award for Female:               Cadet Jzhonae D. White of Providence Forge, Va.

Physical Fitness Award for Male:                   Cadet Sidney S. Biddy of Chesapeake, Va.

Virginia State Trooper Counselor’s Award:    Cadet Logan M. Pettorini of Stafford, Va.

The American Legion selects and sponsors the students to represent the organization’s Virginia districts.

27th Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Roster

• Robert J. Albertini of Zion Crossroads, Va.
• Katherine A.L. Almendares of Springfield, Va.
• Samuel R. Armentrout of Harrisonburg, Va.
• Russell B. Baker, Jr. of Louisa, Va.
• Hannah G. Berry of Madison, Va.
• Sidney S. Biddy of Chesapeake, Va.
• Trevor O. Boone of Hurt, Va.
• April D. Bowman of Mt. Crawford, Va.
• Jacob S. Davis of Gum Spring, Va.
• Dalton R. Dudley of Hood, Va.
• Kimber D. Felton of Disputanta, va.
• Seth R. Green of Gloucester Point, Va.
• Dylan J. Greenwell of Stafford, Va.
• Nicole L. Groen of Gloucester, Va.
• Holly J. Hall of Reva, Va.
• Nehemiah C. Harris of Chesterfield, Va.
• Taylor E. Hines of Jonesville, Va.
• Jonathan T. Iraggi of Boones Mill, Va.
• Christopher L. Jordan of Chester, Va.
• Connor P. Knights of Alexandria, Va.
• Jacob K. Kuehn of Gloucester, Va.
• Steve K. Lucess of North Dinwiddie, Va.
• David L. Lutes of Concord, Va.
• Taylor J. Lynch of Amelia, Va.
• John B. McGiffin of Richmond, Va.
• Colleen E. McGinn of Falls Church, Va.
• Bradley R. Minger of Stafford, Va.
• Zoe C. Moran of Stafford, Va.
• Chynna N. Penird of Hayes, Va.
• Logan M. Pettorini of Stafford, Va.
• Zowie M. Ramsey-Hancock of Gretna, Va.
• Shawn D. Smith
• Jordyn P. Stanley of Warsaw, Va.
• Kayla N. Tobin of Hayes, Va.
• John M. Tuck of Christiansburg, Va.
• Abigale M. Waclo of Gloucester, Va.
• David M. Walker of Gloucester, Va.
• Meghan L. Watson of Stafford, Va.
• Devin S. Weaver of Danville, Va.
• Jonathan M. West, Jr. of Hayes, Va.
• Jzhonae D. White of Providence Forge, Va.
• Adarah L. Williams of Pembroke, Va.