KLETC’s 349th Basic Training Class Graduates Before Distinguished Guests

Family, friends, and supporters gathered at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) to celebrate the graduation of the 349th Basic Training Class – a milestone made even more special by the distinguished guests in attendance. Among them were U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada, who joined the KLETC community in recognizing the hard work and dedication of the new graduates.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Police Instructor Senior and Class Coordinator Josh Long, who proudly introduced the 349th Basic Training Class. Senator Jerry Moran followed, offering encouragement and perspective on the significance of the law enforcement profession.

“The demands placed upon this profession are significant, but the opportunities and rewards are great,” Senator Moran said. “The satisfaction that comes with solving people’s problems and making others safe and secure—protecting home and family—is something our society, our country, and our state deeply needs.”

ATF Deputy Director Robert Cekada also addressed the graduates, reminding them of the weight and honor of the badge they are about to wear.

“In a few moments, you will step forward and accept your place among America’s protectors,” Cekada said. “When your service is over many years from now—when you take that badge off for the last time—my hope is you can look in the mirror and know that you defended the innocent, kept the peace, stood the line, and served with honor.”

Class President Officer Riley Teutsch of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks shared a message of drive and determination with his classmates.

“Class 349, if you take anything from me, take this: do everything in life at 100%,” Teutsch said. “Be passionate in your work, love your family at 100%, and enjoy life at 100%. And remember that every time you cross that threshold, be passionate about where you stand.”

As the ceremony came to a close, the graduates prepared to take the skills, discipline, and values they had gained at KLETC back to the communities they would serve. Their journey is just beginning—and today marked a powerful start.

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 349th basic training class:

Awards in italics                                 

Drew Allio, Overland Park Police Department 

Dakota Atkins-Frost, Concordia Police Department 

Kameron Brown, Ness County Sheriff's Office         

Caleb Brown, Junction City Police Department        

Alejandro Cassal, Bel Aire Police Department          

Dade Douglas, Concordia Police Department           

Francis Dwornicki, Rose Hill Police Department      

Lauren Farris, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks     

Andrew Foster, University of Kansas Med Center Police Dept: Fitness       

Gabriel Gosney, Leavenworth County Sheriff's Office          

Taylan Hackler, Atchison County Sheriff's Office    

Andre Johnson, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks   

Kaden Koenig, Nemaha County Sheriff's Office

Ryan Lee, Derby Police Department: Fitness            

Joshua Meigs, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks     

Hailey Murray, Salina Police Department     

Tyler Patterson, Mulvane Police Department 

Elizabeth Pfliegier, Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office        

Felipe Rodriguez, Dodge City Police Department

Joshua Schuller, Pottawatomie County Sheriff's Office        

Riley Teutsch, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Class President 

Matthew Wallace, Junction City Police Department 

Sarah Werle, Lyon County Sheriff's Office