Twenty-One Students Graduate from KLETC’s 344th Basic Training Class

For the past 14 weeks, the 344th Basic Training Class at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLETC) has worked tirelessly in pursuit of one goal: graduation. Today, that goal became a reality as 21 students took the oath of office and officially joined the ranks of Kansas law enforcement.

Friends and family gathered inside Integrity Auditorium to witness the graduation ceremony, celebrating the students' dedication and achievements.

Police Instructor Senior and Class Coordinator James Buettgenbach introduced the class, setting the tone for a meaningful ceremony. Overland Park Police Chief Doreen Jokerst delivered the keynote address, offering inspiration and encouragement to the new officers.

“Class 344, you are ready. Serve with honor. Lead with integrity and live with purpose,” Jokerst said. “Build trust and protect with courage. Always take care of each other and yourselves. Your journey starts now, and I hope you make it meaningful.”

Class President Steve Hutchens, a Game Warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, also addressed the crowd, reflecting on the bond the class had formed.

“344 is not just an academy class — it’s who we became here. It’s the bond, the stories, the setbacks, and the victories,” Hutchens said. “When the real challenges come — and they will — remember you’ve already been through hard things, and you didn’t get through them alone. Stay sharp, stay humble, keep your sense of humor, and never forget what it means to be part of this class.”

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 344th basic training class:

Awards in italics              

Tiffanie Aketun, Cloud County Sheriff's Office        

Robert Bailey, Osage City Police Department

Halle Barker, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Fitness

Dustin Bean, Newton Police Department

Mason Capper, Overland Park Police Department 

Antwon Cooper,  University of Kansas Police Department  

Cody Dollison, Clay Center Police Department

Larry Duhon, Harper Police Department

Grant Gadbury, Hutchinson Police Department     

Samual Hermesch, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Honors

Aracely Hernandez – Zamarripa, Hutchinson Police Department    

Steven Hutchens, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks: Class President, Honors, Fitness

Austin Merz, Butler County Sheriff's Office

Dylan Middleton, Cherokee County Sheriff's Office              

Trey Morris, Hutchinson Police Department

William Neugent, Haysville Police Department

Vanessa Rivero, Ford County Sheriff's Office

Camdon Sweet, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks

Joseph Timmer, Liberal Police Department: Fitness

Richard Watson, Kansas State Fire Marshal

Devon Wilson, Ottawa Police Department