350th Basic Training Class Graduates From Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center
Photos by Jeff Tuttle
HUTCHINSON — Friends and family filled Integrity Auditorium at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) to watch the 350th Basic Training Class take the oath to serve as law enforcement officers in Kansas.
The 20 graduating recruits completed 14 weeks of rigorous training and will now return to their agencies across the state to begin serving their communities.
Police Instructor Senior James Buettgenbach introduced the class and welcomed the ceremony’s keynote speaker, David “Tyler” Decker, chief of police in Fredonia.
“Each of you arrived at the academy with a story,” Decker told the graduates. “Some of you always knew this was your calling. Others found their way through a journey of challenges, inspirations, or a desire to make a difference. But regardless of your path, you all stand here now united by a single shared purpose — the commitment to serve and protect.”
Class President Joshua Gile, also of the Fredonia Police Department, addressed fellow graduates and their guests.
“I can say with confidence that the future of law enforcement is in good hands,” Gile said. “Hold your heads high. Be proud of what you’ve achieved, and go show your communities the outstanding officers you are. The bonds we’ve built here will last a lifetime, and the lessons we’ve learned will guide us in service.”
KLETC has been a unit of the University of Kansas since 1968 and serves as the state’s central training agency for law enforcement officers.
Under the authority of Vice Provost and Director of Police Training Darin Beck, graduates received certificates attesting the satisfactory completion of a full-time basic course of instruction, and certification as Kansas law enforcement officers from the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training, the state’s Law enforcement licensing authority.
The following are the graduates of the 350th basic training class:
Awards in italics
Mark Ball, Caldwell Police Department, Sumner
Hunter Broyles, Arkansas City Police Department, Cowley
Trinity Burgoon, Overland Park Police Department, Johnson
William Buxton, Overland Park Police Department, Johnson
Hunter Dudley, Butler Community College Dept of Public Safety, Butler
Brendan Ellenburg-Bryant, Liberal Police Department, Seward
Austin Flint, Leavenworth Police Department, Leavenworth
Joshua Gile, Fredonia Police Department, Wilson: Class President, Fitness
Ethan Hertzler, Sabetha Police Department, Brown
Patrick Howard, Butler County Sheriff's Office, Butler
Matthew Jackson, Medicine Lodge Police Department, Barber
Debbrina Johnson, Marysville Police Department, Marshall
Jason McCollough, Cloud County Sheriff's Office, Cloud
Luis Mendez, Leavenworth Police Department, Leavenworth
Austin Miranda, Medicine Lodge Police Department, Barber
Nathan Moyer, Butler County Sheriff's Office, Butler
Peter Nguyen, Butler County Sheriff's Office, Butler
Samuel Schmidt, McPherson County Sheriff's Office, McPherson
Kasey Starnes, Great Bend Police Department, Barton
Robert Taylor, Mission Police Department, Johnson
