College of The Albemarle recognizes BLET students

Published 12:40 pm Wednesday, June 25, 2025

: From left, front, are Jesus Reyes, Matthew Newton, Cody Daley, Jamell Williams, Aaron Salton, Chana Varon, Brittney White, John Luciano, Andres Ramirez, John-Michael Hammer II, Kayla Hunter, Derek Lane, Zachary Smirlock; back, Samuel Arnn, Brandyn Snyder, Amanda White, Sheryl Anderson, Christopher Patsel, Payton Conner, Jack Frisoli, Matthew Nephew, Charles Bailey, Dustin Hanna, Austin Jones, Cole Langley, Benjamin Elko, Francisco Cardenas, Zechariah Dobson, Jacob Teeter, Zachary Vannoy and Bryce Sheets. Not pictured are Xavier Berry-Foreman, Skyler Bradley, Steven Mann, Brandon Miller, Micheal Ohse, Reid Robeso and Craigdric Singletary. The picture includes students recognized as limited enrollees. Limited enrollees have prior law enforcement credentials from another state; therefore, they are not enrolled as full-time students at COA. Courtesy COA

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College of The Albemarle (COA) recently celebrated 37 Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) students for completing the program, comprising 21 from the fall 2024 cohort and 16 from the spring 2025 cohort. The keynote speaker for the ceremony was Michael Palkovics, chief of the Kitty Hawk Police Department. COA president Dr. Jack Bagwell and COA interim BLET director Brad Eilert also gave remarks.

During the 16-week training, the students completed more than 680 contact hours, including instruction and multiple practical exams. The training included firearms, driving, traffic crashes, patrol techniques, domestic violence, criminal investigation, CPR/first responders, rapid deployment, explosive/hazardous materials emergencies and subject control arrest techniques. Students also successfully completed the Police Officer Physical Abilities Test (POPAT).

Eilet shared, “This year’s graduates have demonstrated steadfast commitment and discipline throughout their training. We ask a lot of our cadets, from long hours to intense physical and academic challenges. Each one met the course’s demands with grit and tenacity. I’m confident that they’re prepared to lead with professionalism and purpose as they begin their law enforcement careers.”

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Fall 2024 Students:

Xavier Lamar Berry-Foreman, Dare County
Skyler Omar Bradley, Dare County
Francisco Alonso Cardenas, Pasquotank
Zechariah James Dobson, Pasquotank County
Benjamin Matthew Elko, Maryland
John-Michael Allen Hammer II, Dare County
Dustin Tex Hanna, Currituck County
Kayla Aronda Hunter, Hertford County
Austin Isaiah Jones, Camden County
Derek Jeremiah Russell Lane, Dare County
Cole Tully Langley, Perquimans County
John Andrew Luciano, Currituck County
Steven Edward Mann, Currituck County
Micheal David Ohse, Currituck County
Andres Ramirez, Dare County
Reid Tyler Robeson, Pasquotank County
Craigdric Larnett Singletary, Pasquotank County
Zachary Alexander Smirlock, Perquimans County
Brandyn Alexander Snyder, Perquimans County
Jacob Ian Teeter, Dare County
Zachary Mark Vannoy, Gates County

Spring 2025 Students:

Sheryl Elise Anderson, Perquimans County
Samuel Chaz Arnn, Currituck County
Charles Wyatt Bailey, Pasquotank County
Payton Renee Conner, Pasquotank County
Cody Daniel Daley, Mecklenburg County
Jack Anthony Frisoli, Virginia
Brandon Michael Miller, Pasquotank County
Matthew Ryan Nephew, Pasquotank County
Christopher Lee Patsel, Currituck County
Jesus Uribe Reyes, Dare County
Aaron Eugene Salton, Currituck County
Bryce Peyton Sheets, Pasquotank County
Chana Ruth Varon, Dare County
Amanda Dawn White, Currituck County
Brittney Morgen White, Pasquotank County
Jamell Alonzo Williams, Pasquotank County

Special awards are presented during the ceremony to recognize outstanding training and academic performance. The “Top Gun” award was given to the student who demonstrated the highest proficiency during firearms training. The “Iron Man” award was presented to the student who performed best in the physical training assessments. The “Driver Supreme” award was presented to the student with the best overall driving course score. The “Academic Honors” award was given to the student with the highest grade, based on a percentage of the class. The “Law Enforcement Excellence” award was presented to the student whom BLET staff determined had the best overall performance in the class.

Fall 2024 Class Awards:

“Academic Honors” – Brandyn Snyder and Zachary Smirlock
“Driver Supreme” – Dustin Hanna and Benjamin Elko
“Iron Man”- John Luciano, Steven Mann and Francisco Cardenas
“Law Enforcement Excellence” – Francisco Cardenas
“Top Gun” – John Luciano

Spring 2025 Class Awards:

“Academic Honors” and “Iron Man” – Christopher Patsel and Matthew Nephew
“Driver Supreme” – Christopher Patsel and Charles Bailey
“Law Enforcement Excellence” – Bryce Sheets
“Top Gun” – Christopher Patsel and Jack Frisoli

For more information on BLET, contact Cheryl Griffin, COA law enforcement training and in-service coordinator, at 252-335-0821 ext. 2210 or cheryl_griffin@albemarle.edu.

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