[Austin 148th Austin Police Academy Graduation Ceremony]
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GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
MY NAME IS WADE LYONS AND I'M THE COMMANDER OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TRAINING DIVISION.
I EXTEND MY THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING FOR THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S ONE 48TH CADET CLASS.
IT IS TRULY AN HONOR FOR ME TO CELEBRATE THE GRADUATION OF AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS WITH ALL OF YOU.
ON JANUARY THE 30TH, 2020 3 34, MEN AND WOMEN CAME TOGETHER FROM A VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS AND COMMUNITIES TO UNDERGO THE TRAINING REQUIRED TO BECOME AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
AFTER 32 WEEKS OF RIGOROUS TRAINING, 19 OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAVE SUCCEEDED IN THEIR GOAL.
THEY HAVE ALL MET OUR DEMANDING PHYSICAL, ACADEMIC, AND ETHICAL STANDARDS AND WILL NOW HAVE THE PRIVILEGE AND RESPONSIBILITY OF WEARING A BADGE OF AN AUSTIN POLICE OFFICER.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE STAND AND WELCOME THE GRADUATES OF THE ONE 48TH CADET CLASS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE COLORS BY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S HONOR GUARD AND THE SINGING OF THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER BY SENIOR POLICE OFFICER TODD GALBRATH, ALL UNIFORM PERSONNEL TED OH SAY, CAN YOU SEE BY THE DAWNS EARLY
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NIGHT WHAT SO PROUDLY WE HELD AT THE TWILIGHTS LAST GLEAMING WHOSE BROUGHT STRIPES AND BRIGHT STARS THROW THE P FIRE FOR THE PARTS WE WATCHED WERE SOLY STREAMING AND THE RAW CATCH RED BOMBS BURSTING AND APRIL THROUGH THE NIGHT THAT OUR FLAG WAS STILL THERE.OH, THAT STARS THE AND OF BRAVE PERSONNEL, ALL UNIFORM MEMBERS.
PLEASE REMOVE YOUR COVER FOR THE INVOCATION, WHICH WILL BE DELIVERED BY A P D SENIOR CHAPLAIN BURNS FIVE.
SEE EVERYONE IN GOOD HEALTH, GOOD STRENGTH AND JOY IN YOUR HEART.
FATHER GOD, WE APPROACH YOUR THRONE OF MERCY SEEKING YOUR PRESENCE AT THIS TIME, THE 148TH AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT CADET CLASS GRADUATION.
TODAY, THE MEN AND WOMEN ASSEMBLED HERE HAVE ENDURED SOME CHALLENGING STRUGGLES TO GET HERE.
THEY, ALONG WITH THEIR CADET MATES, THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE LONGED FOR THIS DAY.
WE WELCOME YOU, FATHER GOD INTO THIS CELEBRATION.
FATHER GOD, IN SOME INSTANCES TO FULFILL THIS, WE ARE PURPOSED FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS.
YOU ARE PURPOSED IN THIS INDIVID, IN THIS FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
FATHER GOD, IN SOME INSTANCES THEY NEVER THOUGHT THAT THEY WOULD BE HERE, BUT THERE ARE SOME INSTANCES THAT THEY HAVE THOUGHT, THIS THOUGHT ABOUT BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM THE TIME THEY WERE A TINY CHILD.
WE ARE GIVING YOU OUR BABY'S FATHER, OUR HUSBANDS, OUR WIVES, OUR FATHERS, OUR MOTHERS, OUR SISTERS, OUR BROTHERS AND FRIENDS.
GOD CARE THAT YOU WILL PROTECT THEM IN THEIR COMING AND THEIR GOING.
TRUST THAT WHEN THEY LEAVE HOME AND FAMILY FOR DUTY, THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, COURAGE, AND HEART TO SERVE YOUR PEOPLE.
GIVE THEM A TEACHABLE SPIRIT THAT THEY MAY CONTINUE TO GROW IN THIS SERVICE.
PLACE CREATIVE IDEAS FOR THEM TO PRESENT THAT WILL PROMOTE GROWTH IN THE DEPARTMENT AND WHEN THEY GROW TIRED AND WEARY, SATISFY THEM THAT
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THEY WILL NOT FAINT.GOD BLESS EVERYONE WHO IS PRAYING FOR THEM ON A DAILY BASIS, AND LET US ALL IN SUPPORT OF EACH OTHER, CLOTHE OURSELVES WITH COMPASSION, WITH KINDNESS, WITH HUMILITY, GENTLENESS, AND PATIENCE THAT WILL BE OUR REWARD FOR OUR SERVICE IF WE CAN TAKE ON THAT ATTITUDE.
LORD, WE TRUST YOU EMPHATICALLY TO KEEP US AND NEVER LEAVE US AND WE WILL FOREVER GIVE YOU THANKS FOR YOU.
GIVE THE VICTORY IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, I PRAY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THE COMMISSIONING AND GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR THE 148TH CADET CLASS IS UNDERWAY.
HI, CHIEF ADJUST ON BEHALF OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE, ROBIN J HENDERSON, I THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY FOR THIS VERY SPECIAL OCCASION.
I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO PASTOR CASEY BENSON OF THE BANNOCKBURN CHURCH FOR THIS USE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL FACILITY.
I WOULD LIKE TO NOW RECOGNIZE THE DISTINGUISHED GUESTS ON STAGE AND IN THE AUDIENCE WHO HAVE JOINED US FOR OUR COMMISSIONING CEREMONY.
PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE INTO THE FINAL INTRODUCTION.
INTERIM ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, BRUCE MILLS, MAYOR PRO TEM, PAGE ELLIS, DISTRICT EIGHT, COUNCIL MEMBER MCKENZIE KELLY, DISTRICT SIX, INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE, ROBIN J HENDERSON, ASSISTANT CHIEF JAMES MASON, ASSISTANT CHIEF SCOTT PERRY, ASSISTANT CHIEF JASON STANKY, ASSISTANT CHIEF JEFF GREENWALD, ASSISTANT CHIEF GISETTE GLAN, PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION.
MR. EDUARDO MARGA, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY CHIEF OF TRAINING OPERATIONS CHIEF JAMES THOMAS, CHAPLAIN BURNS.
ALSO WANNA THANK MY COLLEAGUES, THE A P D COMMAND STAFF FOR JOINING US THIS EVENING.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR ATTENDANCE.
THERE'S ANOTHER IMPORTANT GROUP OF PEOPLE I WISH TO RECOGNIZE AND THAT IS THE STAFF OF THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DIVISION.
IT IS THROUGH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF THESE OFFICERS, SUPERVISORS, AND CIVILIAN STAFF THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ASSEMBLE THIS GROUP OF HIGHLY QUALIFIED POLICE CADETS AND TRANSFORM THEM INTO OFFICERS IN THE FINEST POLICE DEPARTMENT IN THIS NATION.
WHEN I CALL YOUR NAME, PLEASE RISE AND REMAIN STANDING FROM THE CADET TRAINING UNIT, LIEUTENANT ELIJAH MERICK, SERGEANT ADRIANA HAMILTON, CORPORAL NATHAN BLAKE, CORPORAL MICHAEL DECKER FROM THE FIREARMS AND DEFENSIVE TACTICS UNIT SERGEANT JASON ROSSON FROM THE ADVANCED EDUCATION UNIT SERGEANT TIM PRICE.
ALONG WITH THESE SUPERVISORS, WOULD ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DIVISION PLEASE STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED? LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE GIVE THEM A HAND.
THIS IS A CELEBRATION OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 19 CADETS SEATED IN FRONT OF ME, AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE MADE THIS DAY POSSIBLE TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE PROVIDED CARE, SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO OUR CADETS THROUGHOUT THE DURATION OF THE ACADEMY.
WE'RE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE TODAY.
THEY WILL NEED YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE DURATION OF THEIR CAREER.
THIS EVENING WE WILL HONOR AUSTIN'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE PREVIOUSLY SERVED AND CURRENTLY SERVED AS PEACE OFFICERS WITH ALL ACTIVE AND RETIRED PEACE OFFICERS.
EACH OF YOU HAS EARNED OUR THANKS AND RESPECT FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE, AND I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU AS WELL.
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FINALLY, I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO PAY RESPECT TO THOSE OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, STATE AND NATION WHO HAVE GIVEN THE FINAL MEASURE OF THEIR DEDICATION AND MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE BY GIVING UP THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF DUTY.PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN THEIR HONOR.
IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER, D P S CHIEF OF TRAINING OPERATIONS CHIEF JAMES THOMAS.
CHIEF THOMAS BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY IN 2001.
AFTER GRADUATING THE D P S ACADEMY IN MARCH, 2002, HE SPENT THE NEXT NINE AND A HALF YEARS IN THE TEXAS HIGHWAY PATROL.
IN OCTOBER, 2011, CHIEF THOMAS PROMOTED THE SPECIAL AGENT WITHIN THE D P S CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION IN HOUSTON, WHERE HE SERVED IN THE GANG SECTION IN THE TEXAS ANTI-GANG CENTER.
IN 2013, HE RECEIVED AN APPOINTMENT AS A SPECIAL DEPUTY US MARSHAL WITH THE UNITED STATES MARSHAL SERVICE, GULF COAST VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND FUGITIVE TASK FORCE.
IN 2018, HE PROMOTED TO LIEUTENANT SERVING IN COMPANY F HEADQUARTERS IN WACO, WHERE HE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR NINE TEXAS RANGERS 16 COUNTIES, THE UNSOLVED CRIMES INVESTIGATIONS PROGRAM IN THE COMPANY F SPECIAL RESPONSE TEAM.
IN OCTOBER, 2020, CHIEF THOMAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF ADMINISTRATIVE CAPTAIN SERVING AT TEXAS RANGER HEADQUARTERS IN AUSTIN.
IN 2021, CHIEF THOMAS RECEIVED THE DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY'S PUBLIC SERVICE COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR HIS EXCEPTIONAL MERITORIOUS CIVILIAN SERVICE.
ADDITIONALLY, HE RECEIVED AN ADOLF THOMAS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD AND WAS APPOINTED TO THE RANK OF MAJOR AND PLACE ON THE DIRECTOR STAFF.
CHIEF THOMAS BECAME THE FIRST D P S FELLOW TO THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR, AND IN AUGUST, 2023 BECAME THE CHIEF OF THE D P S TRAINING OPERATIONS DIVISION.
CHIEF THOMAS HOLDS HIS DOCTORAL DEGREE IN EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP FROM LAMAR UNIVERSITY IN BEAUMONT, TEXAS, WHERE HE WAS AWARDED THE OUTSTANDING DOCTORAL STUDENT AWARD.
HE EARNED A MASTER'S DEGREE IN BEHAVIORAL SCIENCE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CLEAR LAKE, A GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE EDUCATION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA AND A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM LAMAR UNIVERSITY.
CHIEF THOMAS HAS COMPLETED THE D B S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT SCHOOL FIRST LINE SUPERVISOR TRAINING THE F B I, LAW ENFORCEMENT EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION TRILOGY TRILOGY, AND IS A GRADUATE AND CLASS SPOKESPERSON FOR THE 285TH SESSION OF THE F B I NATIONAL ACADEMY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME CHIEF JAMES THOMAS.
FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO CHIEF HENDERSON FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I WOULD'VE BEEN NERVOUS TO STAND IN FRONT OF YOU TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION.
THIS IS WHAT I'LL CALL IT A CONVERSATION.
I'M NO LONGER THAT WAY BECAUSE I REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT WHAT EACH OF YOU WILL DO TO SERVE THIS GREAT AND WONDERFUL CITY, CITY HERE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.
BUT BEFORE I GET TO THEM, I WANT TO GET TO YOU.
A LOT OF PEOPLE STOOD UP TODAY.
I SAW THE FORMER OFFICERS GAVE APPLAUSE TO US AND SITTING ON THE STAGE, YOU UNFORTUNATELY HAD TO SIT THROUGH THAT LONG BIO THAT WE COULD HAVE PROBABLY CUT SHORT, BUT THANK YOU FOR READING THAT
IF YOU ARE A SPOUSE OF SOMEONE SITTING DOWN HERE TODAY, PLEASE STAND.
IF YOU ARE A CHILD OF SOMEONE SITTING DOWN HERE THAT'S GRADUATING TODAY, PLEASE STAND.
IF YOU'RE A MOTHER ADORABLE OR A FATHER OR A FAMILY MEMBER OF SOMEONE SITTING DOWN HERE TODAY, PLEASE STAND AND IF YOU'RE A FRIEND, I DIDN'T FORGET ABOUT YOU,
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STAND.CAN EVERY OFFICER IN THIS ROOM, INCLUDING THE CADETS, PLEASE GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
I'LL TELL YOU MY STORY AND NARRATIVE AND, AND I'M MOMENTS IN THAT TO, TO RELATE TO YOU AND WHY I I KNOW YOU WILL GO OUT AND SERVE THIS CITY.
WELL, I WAS A YOUNG CHILD WHEN I REALIZED I WANTED TO BECOME A TEXAS RANGER.
THERE'S PROBABLY A CHILD IN HERE TODAY THAT'S THAT AGE.
I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW AT THE TIME WHAT IT MEANT TO BE A TEXAS RANGER.
I JUST HAD SOME WILD DREAM THAT MY MOM SUPPORTED.
YOU PROBABLY HAD SOME WILD DREAM OF BEING AN OFFICER ONE DAY NOT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL, BUT YOU HAD ENOUGH GRIT AND ENOUGH DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE THAT.
AND THAT'S WHY YOU SIT HERE TODAY AND YOU WORD THAT BADGE AND YOU WILL SWEAR AN OATH TO PROTECT AND SERVE A CITY THAT YOU LOVE.
EVEN IF IT RE RE REQUIRES THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE.
YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO ACHIEVE OR EVEN UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT GOAL COMPLETELY IS.
YOU JUST HAVE HAVE TO HAVE THAT GOAL, SIT SOMEWHERE IN THE DISTANCE AHEAD OF YOU AND THEN HAVE ENOUGH DETERMINATION TO ACHIEVE IT.
AT THE AGE OF 36, THAT DREAM FOR ME CAME TRUE.
IN THE INTERIM OF THAT TIME, I, I LEARNED A FEW THINGS ABOUT MYSELF AND ABOUT MY DREAM.
THE FIRST THING I LEARNED IS IT WOULD TAKE COMMITMENT.
I LOOK TO MY LEFT AT THIS WONDERFUL TRAINING STAFF AND I WANNA SAY THANK YOU.
IT'S A COMMITMENT FOR THEM TO POUR INTO YOU EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE, THEIR EXPERIENCE, THEIR TRIALS, THEIR TESTIMONIES, THEIR JOYS, THEIR THEIR SORROWS.
IT'S A COMMITMENT THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO HONOR AND IT'S EVIDENT BECAUSE YOU SIT HERE IN THESE HALLOW HALLS TODAY.
WE ALL KNOW A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COMMITMENT, ESPECIALLY THE FAMILIES, THE SPOUSES, THE CHILDREN, THE MOMS, THE DADS.
MY DAD, HE STILL WORRIES TODAY.
HE ASKS HOW I'M DOING AND HE WONDERS IF I'M IN ANY DANGER.
I SAID, WELL, DAD, I'M A TRAINING CHIEF AT AT, AT, AT AT AT D P S I SIT IN THE OFFICE.
IT'S OKAY, BUT I STILL WAKE UP COMMITTED.
I STILL WEAR MY VEST EVERY DAY.
I WEAR A UNIFORM NOW AND I'M COMMITTED BECAUSE THE CAUSE THAT I HAVE IS GREATER THAN MYSELF.
WHAT'S GOING TO KEEP YOU COMMITTED IS TO FIND THE WHY.
I WAKE UP EVERY DAY WITH THIS DREAM TO OF EVERY CHILD IN THIS ROOM AND IN THIS CITY AND IN THIS GREAT STATE AND IN THIS WONDERFUL COUNTRY AND IN THIS INTERESTING WORLD WILL LIVE FREE OF CRIME.
THAT'S THE COMMITMENT THAT I TOOK WHEN I RAISED MY HAND AND SWORN OATH.
AND SO EVERY DAY I WAKE UP AND I SEE A CHILD THAT'S BEEN VICTIMIZED BY CRIME AND VIOLENT CRIME AND SUFFERS AND, AND THEY HAVE HEARTACHE AND THEY HAVE PAIN.
I LAY MY HEAD DOWN AT NIGHT AND I WAKE UP THE FOLLOWING MORNING, I I I STRAIGHTENED MY SHOULDERS AND I ROLLED MY CHEST UP AND MY HEAD UP AND I SAY, TODAY I WILL LIVE TO HONOR THE COMMITMENT THAT I MADE TO PROTECT AND SERVE.
WHAT'S YOUR COMMITMENT? I LOOK AT YOUR STAFF BECAUSE I'M CERTAIN THERE WILL BE DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD, DIFFICULT DAYS AHEAD WHERE IT MAY NOT BE AS EASY TO HONOR THE COMMITMENT AND THE WHY THAT YOU HAVE.
BUT IF THIS PROFESSION TRULY MEANS SOMETHING TO YOU, YOU'LL FIND THE LIGHT OF YOUR COMMITMENT THROUGH THE CHAOS
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AND YOU'LL SERVE.SO IN THAT INTERIM TIME, I LEARNED A LITTLE BIT ABOUT COMMITMENT.
I ALSO LEARNED ABOUT SACRIFICE.
UH, YOU MAY SAY, WHAT IS SACRIFICE? SIR? YOU EVER SEEN SOMEONE IN PAIN AND WANTED TO TAKE THEIR PAIN AWAY? YOU WANTED TO BEAR THEIR PAIN UPON YOUR SHOULDERS SO THEY CAN HAVE THIS, BUT A BRIEF MOMENT OF JOY, YOU WOULD BEAR THEIR SORROW AND IT DIDN'T MATTER WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR YOU TO ACHIEVE THAT.
YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING IN YOUR POWER, WITHIN YOUR AUTHORITY, WITHIN YOUR GRASP TO ACCOMPLISH THAT ONE THING.
EVERY OFFICER IN THIS ROOM KNOWS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SACRIFICE.
YOU SACRIFICED THE LENGTH OF AN ACADEMY, SWEAT, BLOOD, TEARS, JOY, SORROW, SUFFERING TOGETHER.
THERE'S A CITY, IT'S CALLED AUSTIN.
THERE'S A NEED I CALL CRIME THE NUISANCE OF SOCIETY.
I CALL VIOLENT CRIME THE PLAGUE OF SOCIETY.
I WANT YOU TO SACRIFICE SO THAT THOSE SMALL CHILDREN THAT I SWORE AN OATH TO PROTECT AND SERVE WITH ALL OF MY BEING AND MY ESSENCE.
I ASK THAT YOU SACRIFICE WHATEVER THAT THING IS THAT'S GONNA KEEP YOU FROM STAYING COMMITTED, SACRIFICE IT SO THAT EVERY DAY YOU WAKE UP, YOU WILL SERVE THIS GREAT CITY AND THIS GREAT STATE WITH EVERY BIT OF YOUR ESSENCE.
AS I GREW OLDER AND I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TEXAS RANGERS, I REALIZED FROM 1823 TO NOW WE'RE CELEBRATING 200 YEARS OF AMAZING HISTORY.
IN 1823, THEY, THERE WERE 10 OF THEM.
IT WAS TO PROTECT THE INCOMING RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS AND, AND, AND, AND TRANSPLANTS TO THIS GREAT STATE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER CRIME THEY WOULD SUFFER, THOSE 10 RANGERS WOULD ROAM THE RANGE TO PROTECT AND SERVE THE ONES THEY LOVE.
I SMILE EVERY TIME I SAY THAT.
IT DIDN'T MATTER IF IF THEY LIKED THEM, IT DIDN'T MATTER IF THEY CALLED THEM.
IT DIDN'T EVEN MATTER IF THEY THOUGHT THEY DIDN'T NEED THEM.
THE RANGER WOULD ALWAYS GO WHERE THE CRIME WAS AND RUN IT AWAY BECAUSE THEY WANTED THE CITIZENS THAT THEY SHOULD LOVE AND PROTECT TO KNOW THAT WE HONOR YOU AND WE'RE GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE.
SO WHEN I WAKE UP NOW AND SOME DAYS I'LL PICK UP THAT STAR, AND SOME DAYS I'LL THINK ABOUT THOSE 30 MILLION CITIZENS IN THIS GREAT STATE AND STILL GROWING.
AND I'LL THINK ABOUT THE 268,000 MILES OF THIS GREAT STATE CALLED TEXAS, AND I LOVE HER AND I'M REMINDED THAT I'M NOT JUST A RANGER, I'M A TEXAS RANGER.
YOU'RE NOT JUST AN OFFICER, YOU'RE AN AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICER THAT MY FRIENDS SHOULD MEAN SOMETHING.
SO WHEN YOU WAKE UP ONE DAY, PROBABLY TOMORROW FOR YOU, 'CAUSE YOU'RE GONNA BE STANDING IN THE MIRROR TONIGHT, JUST AMAZED THAT IT'S, IT IS REAL.
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CALL YOU AND TEXT YOU AND FACEBOOK YOU AND TWEET YOU AND TIKTOK YOU AND WHATEVER, AND THEY CALL YOU AN OFFICER, I WANT YOU TO CORRECT THEM.NO, I WANT YOU TO TRULY HONOR WHO I AM.
I'M AN AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT OFFICE AND THAT SHOULD MEAN SOMETHING TO YOU.
COMMITMENT, SACRIFICE, HONOR, I'LL CLOSE ON THIS.
LOVE YOU EVER LOVE SOMETHING MORE THAN YOU LOVED YOURSELF.
I TRULY POSE THAT QUESTION TO YOU AND NO MATTER HOW HE, SHE OR IT LOVED YOU BACK, YOU STILL LOVED IT.
I'VE NEVER, I'VE NEVER, 22 YEARS IN, I I'VE NEVER DONE THIS.
I'VE NEVER, UH, UH, UH, AWAKENED FROM MY SLEEP ASKING IF TEXAS LOVES ME AND HONORS THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE THAT I'VE GIVEN HER.
NEVER ASKED HER BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER IF SHE LOVES ME BACK.
I WANT TEXAS AND HER WONDERFUL CITIZENS TO KNOW THAT I LOVE HER AND THERE'S NOTHING I WON'T DO TO PROTECT HER.
MY CHALLENGE TO YOU WITH LOVE FROM MY HEART, WHEN YOU'RE STANDING IN THAT MIRROR TONIGHT, STILL AMAZED THAT IT'S TRUE, REINFORCE THAT LOVE IN YOUR HEART AND NO MATTER IF SHE LOVES YOU BACK, YOU GIVE AUSTIN ALL OF YOUR LOVE.
AND TRUST ME, THERE'S SOMEONE THAT WILL HONOR THAT SACRIFICE.
IT IS ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE THIS HALLOWED AUDIENCE IN THESE HALLOWED HALLS TO TALK ABOUT A PROFESSION THAT I LOVE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO, THE NEWEST PROTECTORS OF THIS GREAT STATE IN THIS GREAT CITY, CITY AND IT'S MY HONOR TO BE ALLOWED THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS THE WONDERFUL STATE OF TEXAS.
EACH CADET CLASS ALEXIS OWN CLASS OFFICERS SELECTION AS CLASS PRESIDENT IS BOTH AN HONOR AND A SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY.
THE CLASS PRESIDENT IS EXPECTED TO SET AN EXAMPLE, PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, AND ACT AS THE CLASS'S OFFICIAL REPRESENTATIVE.
AS SUCH, THIS SELECTION SYMBOLIZES THE CONFIDENCE THE CLASS HAS BESTOWED UPON THIS INDIVIDUAL.
THE 148TH CADET CLASS HAS CHOSEN CADET BRIAN MOODY AS THEIR PRESIDENT CADET MOODY WILL SPEAK ON THE EXPERIENCES OF THE CADETS GRADUATING HERE TODAY.
CADET MOODY, PLEASE COME FORWARD, SIR.
GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR COMING OUT ON JOINING US ON THIS SPECIAL OCCASION.
I JOINED THE AUSTIN POLICE ACADEMY AS A CADET ON JANUARY 30TH, 2023, AND I HAD THE HONOR OF BEING ELECTED TO CLASS PRESIDENT.
THE 1 48 CLASS CADET CLASS IS MADE UP OF A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE COMING FROM MANY DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS, LIFE EXPERIENCES AND HAVING VERY STRONG PERSONALITIES DURING THE ACADEMY WE'RE CHALLENGED PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND EVEN PSYCHOLOGICALLY.
WE STARTED THE ACADEMY AS INDIVIDUALS, BUT QUICKLY CAME TOGETHER AS A CLASS UTILIZING TEAMWORK AND TO HELP ONE ANOTHER ACCOMPLISH OUR GOALS.
I'M PROUD OF THE OFFICERS, YOU, OFFICERS YOU HAVE BECOME AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE COMPLETED THIS JOURNEY WITH YOU TO THE ACADEMY STAFF.
I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE TO MOLD US INTO AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
THE EFFORT AND SACRIFICE YOU PUT INTO TEACHING US THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF THIS PROFESSION DID NOT GO UNNOTICED.
I SPEAK FOR THE WHOLE CLASS IN SAYING WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK HARD AND TO REMEMBER THE LESSONS THAT YOU'VE
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TAUGHT TO MY CLASSMATES AS YOU GO OUT AND SERVE THE COMMUNITY, COMMUNITY.REMEMBER, BE HONEST, HAVE HUMILITY, AND ALWAYS STRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE IN EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, I'D LIKE TO THANK MY WIFE AND MY FAMILY AS WELL AS THE WIFE, UH, THE THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS OF ALL THE 1 48 CADETS.
WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT AND YOUR SACRIFICE.
OUR FIRST AWARD THIS AFTERNOON IS THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD.
EACH CADET CLASS NOMINATES A FELLOW CADET TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD TO HONOR THEM AS THEIR CLASS HUMANITARIAN.
PRESENTING THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD IS DR.
FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, DR.
KEVIN FOSTER HAS TAUGHT THE HISTORY OF RACE AND POLICING FOR THE AUSTIN POLICE ACADEMY.
HE IS A 30 YEAR VETERAN EDUCATOR, EDUCATIONAL LEADER, AND A POLICYMAKER.
HE HAS WORKED IN SCHOOLS AND LOCAL STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND AUTHORED DOZENS OF ACADEMIC ARTICLES.
HE IS CURRENTLY VICE PRESIDENT OF THE AUSTIN SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES, WHICH INCLUDES AN 85 OFFICER POLICE DEPARTMENT SERVING THE STUDENTS, STAFF AND COMMUNITY ON THE DISTRICT'S 114 SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND RELATED FACILITIES.
HE IS ALSO THE ASSOCIATE CHAIR OF THE BLACK STUDIES DEPARTMENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AUSTIN.
FOSTER RECEIVED HIS PHD, AN MA FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN AND HIS BA FROM THE COLLEGE OF WILLIAM AND MARY.
HE IS THE PARENT OF TWO YOUNG ADULTS, MALCOLM AND MARLEY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME DR.
THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD WAS ESTABLISHED AND NAMED AFTER RETIRED, A P D LIEUTENANT ERNIE HINKLE TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE HIS CONTRIBUTION TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO THE COMMUNITY.
LIEUTENANT HENKEL WAS THE CLASS PRESIDENT OF THE 23RD CADET CLASS COMMISSIONED ON SEPTEMBER 30TH, 1960.
HE SPENT HIS ENTIRE CAREER AS A STREET OFFICER.
ERNIE PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT IN 1973 WHERE HE REMAINED IN PATROL FOR 22 YEARS BECAUSE HE NEVER WANTED TO LEAVE THE STREETS.
AT ONE TIME, LIEUTENANT HINKEL WAS THE MOST DECORATED POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, RECEIVING OVER 200 AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS IN 1993.
HE WAS ONE OF 18 LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS TO BE SELECTED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT TO RECEIVE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FOR PROFESSIONALISM.
LIEUTENANT HINKLE RETIRED ON NOVEMBER 25TH, 1995 AND DEVOTED MORE THAN 35 YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
HE ALSO GAVE UNSELFISHLY OF HIMSELF AND TO OTHERS EACH AND EVERY DAY OF HIS CAREER.
LIEUTENANT HINKLE PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 26TH, 2023.
HE REMAINS IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS AS THE SYMBOL OF WHAT A GREAT OFFICER SHOULD BE.
HONORABLE AND HUMBLE, PRINCIPLED WITH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE FRAILTY OF THE HUMAN CONDITION.
THE HUNDRED AND 48TH CADET CLASS AWARD RECIPIENT IS CADET ALDEN BESS.
OH, THAT WOULD HELP
ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE HELP
FOSTER, AND CONGRATULATIONS CADET BEST.
OUR NEXT AWARD THIS AFTERNOON, UH, THIS EVENING IS FOR HONOR CADET PRESENTING THE HONOR CADET AWARD WILL BE THE PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION.
MR. MARGAN IS THE CO-FOUNDER AND CO-OWNER OF AUSTIN FC AND HE IS THE C E O OF PIX U INVESTMENTS, WHICH HE STARTED IN 2010.
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PIX U HAS ACQUIRED MANY LANDMARK AUSTIN PROPERTIES, SUCH AS THE DRISKELL HOTEL AND THE HISTORIC SCARBOROUGH IN LITTLEFIELD BUILDINGS.MR. MARGAN AND HIS WIFE LORENA, MOVED TO AUSTIN FROM THEIR NATIVE COUNTRY OF MEXICO IN 2009.
SINCE THEN, THEY HAVE MADE AUSTIN THEIR ADOPTED HOMETOWN.
MR. MARGAN SERVES ON THE BOARD OF FOUR A T X FOUNDATION AND IS A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN COUNCIL OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS.
IN JUNE, GOVERNOR ABBOTT APPOINTED HIM TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
CURRENTLY, MR. MARGAN SERVES AS PRESIDENT OF THE GRACE AUSTIN CRIME COMMISSION AND IS WORKING TIRELESSLY TO IMPROVE OUR CITY'S PUBLIC SAFETY BY SUPPORTING ITS FIRST RESPONDERS AND ESPECIALLY THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME MR. EDUARDO GAME.
ON BEHALF OF OUR UH, GRATEFUL COMMUNITY, I WANTED TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT APPRECIATION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ON UNDER GRADUATING CADETS FOR CHOOSING THIS NOVEL PROFESSION.
YOUR COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND UNITED IS COMMENDABLE.
SETTING THE EXAMPLE OF CITIZENSHIP AND DUTY FOR MANY.
YOUR DEDICATION, BRAVERY, AND SACRIFICE MAKE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON OUR LIVES AND THE WELLBEING OF OUR SOCIETY.
THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO BE OUR GUARDIANS AND FOR YOUR UNWAVERING SERVICE IN PROTECTING AND SERVING THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
THE LAST AWARD THIS EVENING IS THE HONOR CADET AWARD.
THE OWNER CADET IS CHOSEN BY THE A P D TRAINING STAFF AS THE CADET WHO BEST EXEMPLIFIES THE SKILLS AND ABILITIES THAT ARE MOST IMPORTANT TO THE TRAINING PROGRAM LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, INITIATIVE, HARD WORK, DEPENDABILITY, AND OVERALL PERFORMANCE.
THE CADET WHO BEST REPRESENTS THESE SKILLS FOR THE 148TH CADET CLASS IS CADET TAYLOR INGER.
IT IS NOW MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE THE INTERIM CHIEF OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
ROBIN J HENDERSON, CHIEF HENDERSON HAS SERVED WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 26 YEARS AND WAS RECENTLY APPOINTED TO INTERIM CHIEF OF POLICE ON AUGUST 28TH, 2023.
CHIEF HENDERSON CURRENTLY OVERSEES ALL DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS, WHICH INCLUDES A WORKFORCE OF APPROXIMATELY 2200 SWORN AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL.
PRIOR TO HER INTERIM APPOINTMENT, CHIEF HENDERSON SERVED AS THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND IN ADDITION TO THE MANAGING THE INNER WORKINGS OF THE DEPARTMENT, OVERSAW PEER SUPPORT, THE COUNTER ATTACK STRIKE TEAM IN THE EXECUTIVE PROTECTION UNIT.
CHIEF HENDERSON SERVED IN VARIOUS ASSIGNMENTS INCLUDING EXECUTIVE LIEUTENANT PATROL, LIEUTENANT CADET, TRAINING UNIT, FIELD TRAINING UNIT INTERNAL AFFAIRS PERSON, AND PROPERTY INVESTIGATIONS, STREET RESPONSE AND PATROL.
CHIEF HENDERSON ENJOYS LEADING A PRODUCTIVE PROFESSIONAL AND PROGRESSIVE TEAM.
SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PUBLIC SERVICE, BING, A SERVANT LEADER, A MENTOR, AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUSTIN COMMUNITY.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE WELCOME INTERIM AUSTIN POLICE CHIEF ROBIN J HENDERSON.
WOW, THAT'S, I'M FEELING LIKE SHORT RIGHT NOW.
LEMME GET A LITTLE, A LITTLE CLOSER.
HOW'S THAT? CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? ALL RIGHT.
GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I WANNA EXTEND MY THANKS TO EACH OF YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS WONDERFUL OCCASION.
UM, THIS IS THE GRADUATING CLASS 1 48 OF THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
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CITY MANAGER GARZA, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER, MILLS MAYOR PRO TIM PAID JEALOUS COUNCIL MEMBER MACKENZIE KELLY, THANK YOU.AND THEN TO, OF COURSE, JOYCE, JAMES AND HER TEAM.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT ARE JOINING HERE TODAY.
IN ADDITION TO OUR COMMAND STAFF AND ALL OF MY TEAMMATES FEATURED HERE TODAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE YOU TO OUR RECRUITING STAFF WHO WORK SO DILIGENTLY TO RECRUIT THESE MEN AND WOMEN.
YOU HAVE RECRUITED A GROUP OF AMAZING PROFESSIONALS WHO HAVE EXHIBITED NOT ONLY A DESIRE TO SERVE, BUT THE APTITUDE NECESSARY TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE OUR RIGOROUS TRAINING AGENDA.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE PUT IN TO HELP US GET TO THIS AMAZING DAY TO OUR TRAINING ACADEMY STAFF, BOTH OUR SWORN AND CIVILIAN THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING THE WEEKS ON END OF TRAINING, SUPPORT, GUIDANCE AND LEADERSHIP NEEDED FOR THEIR SUCCESS.
Y'ALL ARE AWESOME TO THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS WHO HAVE PROVIDED SUPPORT, CARE, COMPASSION, ENCOURAGEMENT, PROBABLY A LITTLE BIT OF GRIPING EVERY NOW AND THEN.
UM, FOR THE PAST 32 WEEKS, WE VERY MUCH THANK YOU AND APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
THIS CEREMONY IS TO HONOR YOU.
ALSO THANK YOU TO THE 1 48 CADET CLASS.
AS YOUR TIME AT THE TRAINING ACADEMY IS COMING TO AN END AND YOU ARE LOOKING TO MOVE TO YOUR NEXT ASSIGNMENT, I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO STAY YES, STAY THE CAPACITY FOR ENDURANCE AS YOU'VE MET THE PROGRAMS ACADEMIC AND PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS PAST ALL OF THE TESTS AND ROLE PLAYS TO GRADUATE.
I'M STILL GONNA ASK YOU TO STAY, TO PROVIDE PHYSICAL AND MORE SUPPORT FOR SUSTAIN.
AND YES, WHILE YOU HAVE SUCCEEDED IN COMPLETING THE MOST INTENSIVE AND PRESTIGIOUS POLICE TRAINING REGIMEN IN THE STATE, IF NOT IN THE COUNTRY, YES, I'M STILL GONNA ASK YOU TO STAY TO AFFIX ON SOMETHING AS A FOUNDATION.
AND WHILE THE TRAINING STAFF IS SITTING THERE WONDERING WHAT THE DEVIL IS CHIEF TALKING ABOUT 'CAUSE THEY AIN'T STAYING AT TRAINING, LET ME PUT YOUR MIND AT EASE.
REST ASSURED, IN ABOUT AN HOUR, THE MEMBERS OF THE ONE 48TH CADET CLASS ARE GOING TO LEAVE HERE AS POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE GREAT STATE OF TEXAS.
YOU ARE GOING TO FOREVER STAY TO STAND FIRM ONE 48TH AND LET ME CLEAR IT UP FOR YOU.
YOU ARE GONNA STAY LEADERS, YOU'RE GONNA STAY HONORABLE.
YOU'RE GONNA STAY PASSIONATE, STAY IMPACTFUL, STAY PROGRESSIVE, STAY CARING, STAY INFLUENTIAL, STAY POSITIVE, STAY MOTIVATED, STAY HUMBLED.
STAY ROCK STARS AS ALWAYS, TAKE CARE OF YOU.
STAY ALERT, STAY SAFE, STAY AWESOME.
IT'S TRULY AN HONOR TO GET TO WORK FOR YOU.
NOW THE MOMENT THESE CADETS HAVE BEEN WORKING TOWARD FOR SO LONG, THE PENDING OF THE AUSTIN POLICE BADGE AND THE OATH OF OFFICE MEMBERS OF THE ONE 48TH CADET CLASS.
IN JUST A FEW MOMENTS, YOU WILL BE OFFICIALLY SWORN IN AS AUSTIN POLICE OFFICERS.
THE BADGE WITH WHICH YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE PRESENTED SHOULD ALWAYS BE WORN WITH COURAGE, RESPECT, AND HUMILITY.
YOUR ACTIONS THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER WILL BE A REFLECTION ON THIS BADGE, YOUR CHARACTER, AND OUR DEPARTMENT.
WHERE THIS BADGE WITH PRIDE, DEFENDANT WOULD HONOR AND ALWAYS SEE IT AS A SYMBOL OF THE SACRED, SACRED TRUST BETWEEN YOU AND THE COMMUNITY YOU SERVE.
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LADIES, GENTLEMEN, I WOULD NOW LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE LIEUTENANT OF CADET TRAINING.LIEUTENANT MYRICK HAS BEEN WITH THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 15 YEARS AND STARTED HIS CAREER ON EVENING PATROL WHERE HE SERVED AS A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER.
LIEUTENANT MYRICK WAS SELECTED FOR THE SWAT TEAM WHERE HE SERVED FOUR AND A HALF YEARS PRIOR TO PROMOTING TO THE RANK OF DETECTIVES AS A DETECTIVE, LIEUTENANT MYRICK WAS ASSIGNED TO THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT.
UPON PROMOTING THE SERGEANT, LIEUTENANT MYRICK SUPERVISED PATROL AND LED THE MAJOR CRIME SUPPRESSION UNIT AS A LIEUTENANT.
LIEUTENANT MYRICK HAS OVERSEEN THE CADET TRAINING UNIT SINCE MAY OF 2022, AND HE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF CAST AND PEER SUPPORT.
LIEUTENANT MYRICK WILL BE ANNOUNCING THE NAMES OF THE CADETS FOR THEIR BADGE PARENT PENDING.
JUST LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND JUST, UM, LET YOU KNOW, UM, 1 48, HOW MUCH I DEEPLY CARE ABOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
I LOOK FORWARD TO ALL OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU'RE GOING TO DO.
UM, AND JUST REALIZE I'M ALWAYS A RESOURCE FOR YOU AS I ANNOUNCE THE NAMES FOR THE ONE 48TH CADET CLASS.
EACH CADET AND THE PERSON SELECTED TO ACCOMPANY THEM WILL COME FORWARD.
ONTO THE STAGE FOR THE BADGE PINNING OFFICER AIDEN BES, OFFICER BESS WILL BE PINNED BY HIS PARENTS.
ALLISON AND JOHN, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS STEPMOTHER, ELLISON ELIZABETH, COUSIN TRISH, AND BROTHER JARED.
NEXT WE'LL HAVE OFFICER RACHEL CROSSEN TO BE PINNED BY HER BOYFRIEND JACKSON AND ACCOMPANIED BY HER PARENTS, MICHAEL AND CHRISTIE GRANDPARENTS NORMA AND BEVERLY SIBLINGS, BAILEY, ALEXIS AND CODY.
NEXT WE'LL HAVE OFFICER BRITTANY HICKMAN.
BRITTANY WILL BE PINNED BY HER.
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OFFICER CORBIN MCCULLOUGH.WE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER CRAIG AND ACCOMPANIED BY SISTERS KENDRA AND KAYLIN.
OFFICER NATHAN MCCOLLUM TO BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE ANNA, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, MEREDITH PHILLIP AND SIBLINGS, ISAIAH ELIJAH.
AND KNOWING OFFICER BRIAN MOODY, YOU'LL BE PINNED BY HIS OFFICER, HIS WIFE CHAO AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, REBECCA MOODY.
YOU'LL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE SOPHIA, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SON, LEVI, PARENTS TIM AND TRACY, AND SIBLINGS, SAMANTHA AND LOGAN.
NEXT WE'LL HAVE OFFICER COOPER.
OWEN WILL BE PINNED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND VICTORIA, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS PARENTS, KEITH AND SHARON AND STEPPARENTS, WENDY AND GARY.
OFFICER JAKE PITCHER WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, WHO IS RETIRED OFFICER WITH THE BROOKVILLE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
OFFICER MIKE PITCHER BE ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, SUSANNA AND HIS SISTER HALEY.
IT'LL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER DIANA, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND, JESSICA, BROTHER JOSEPH AND FATHER LOUISE.
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OFFICER EVAN REED GREEN WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER CHERYL, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, RICHARD.GIRLFRIEND REGINA AND FRIEND DAVID, OFFICER DAVID RODRIGUEZ WHO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, LOUISE AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER, MIKE.
TIFFANY UNCLE JUSTINO, AUNT MICHELLE AND FRIEND MOSES.
OFFICER AMBER SLATER SHOULD BE PINNED BY HER GRANDMOTHER, ELEME AND WIFE.
JOCELYN BE ACCOMPANIED BY HER PARENTS.
OFFICER NICHOLAS VASQUEZ WILL BE PINNED BY HIS FIANCE, CHASTITY ACCOMPANIED BY HIS MOTHER, BRIDGET BROTHERS GABRIEL AND DANIEL AND IN-LAWS ISABELLE AND DANIEL.
WILL BE PINNED BY HIS PARTNER EILEEN, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS SIBLINGS, DEE AND CRUZ, OFFICER JOSE VIDAL.
IT'LL BE PINNED BY HIS FATHER, RAPHAEL
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OFFICER GABRIEL WALKER.PRATO WILL BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER LUCY, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS FATHER.
JAVIER GIRLFRIEND LENORE AND GRANDPARENTS MIGUEL AND MARIA.
HE'LL BE PINNED BY HIS WIFE LAUREN, ACCOMPANIED BY HIS CHILDREN.
GRAYSON GIANNA AND FATHER, RETIRED COMMANDER BRENT WESTWOOD OF THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
OFFICER WILLIAM WHITE BE PINNED BY HIS MOTHER, SUSAN AND ACCOMPANIED BY HIS GIRLFRIEND MADISON CHIEF HENDERSON WILL NOW, UM, ADMINISTER THE OATH OF OFFICE AND CLASS PRESIDENT, IF YOU COULD PROMPT YOUR CLASS PLEASE.
WHAT DAVID? READY COPE 2 1 48 CADET CLASS.
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HEY, REPEAT AFTER ME.ALRIGHT, WILLIAM, WHAT DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR DO? SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY DISCHARGE AND PERFORM THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY AND IMPARTIALLY D AND PERFORM ALL THE DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON ME, ALL THE DUTIES INCUMBENT UPON ME AS A POLICE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN AS A POLICE OFFICER FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY SKILL AND ABILITY, ACCORDING TO THE BEST OF MY SKILL AND ABILITY, MY ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE EXECUTED.
MY ACTIONS WILL ALWAYS BE EXECUTED WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION, WITHIN THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I SOLEMNLY SWEAR, I SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY TO THE I'M SORRY THAT I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO THE DEMANDS THAT I'LL BE FAITHFUL TO DEMAND FOR TRUTH AND HONESTY.
AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION AS, AS ESTABLISHED BY MY PROFESSION AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT.
IN ALL REGARDS, I'LL BE PROFESSIONAL IN ALL REGARDS, RESPECT AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK, RESPECT, AND OBEY MY SENIORS IN RANK AND ENFORCE THE LAW AND ENFORCE THE LAW WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR OR DISCRIMINATION, WITHOUT FEAR, FAVOR OR DISCRIMINATION, I WILL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS.
I'LL DEVOTE MY EFFORTS AND SKILLS TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, TO THE HONORABLE PROFESSION OF POLICING, AND TO THE SERVICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS AND TO THE SERVICE OF NEIGHBORHOODS AND INDIVIDUALS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN, OF THIS COMMUNITY, THE CITY OF AUSTIN.
I WILL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OR DISTRESS.
I WILL ASSIST THOSE IN PERIL OF DISTRESS.
AND IF NECESSARY, AND IF NECESSARY, LAY DOWN MY LIFE.
LAY DOWN MY LIFE RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY RATHER THAN SWERVE FROM THE PATH OF DUTY.
ON BEHALF OF THE TRAINING AND RECRUITING DIVISION AND THE ENTIRE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT FAMILY, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT'S NEWEST POLICE OFFICERS.
THANKS AGAIN TO ALL OF THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO SUPPORTED AND ENCOURAGEMENT HAVE MADE THIS JOURNEY POSSIBLE.
THIS CONCLUDES TODAY'S CEREMONY.
REFRESHMENTS SPONSORED BY THE A P D CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WILL BE SERVED IN THE FOYER.
OFFICER MOODY AS YOUR LAST OFFICIAL ACT AS CLASS PRESIDENT.
WILL YOU PLEASE DISMISS THESE OFFICERS? VISIT OTHER DEPART, RESPECTED BY ALL AND COLLABORATES WITH OUR COMMUNITIES, MAKE US THE SAVE CITY OF AMERICA MISSION TO KEEP YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE TO INNOVATE STRATEGIES, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, I CARE INTEGRITY, THE COURT POLICE WORK WITHOUT CLOSING TRUST LAWS, COURAGE TO MAKE THE RIGHT PROFESSIONAL DECISIONS TO THE COMMUNITY AND DEPARTMENT AND COWORKERS.
RESPECT ALL THE COMMUNITY DEPARTMENT, MOST IMPORTANTLY, SO PROFESSIONAL AND DECISION MAKING.
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ON, I DON'T ON.