Press Release

One female and fifteen male officers from the Bell, Bell Gardens, Gardena, Hawthorne, Los Angeles Unified School District, and Pasadena Police Departments graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Training Academy in Whittier during ceremonies held on Friday, February 20, 2004.

Chief Bernard Melekian of the Pasadena Police Department delivered an inspirational keynote address to the graduates and their guests.

As part of the graduation, a badge-pinning ceremony was conducted, with the new officers receiving their badges from a family member or a loved one. After receiving their graduation certificates, the graduates were officially sworn in as peace officers by Sheriff Lee Baca.

In a special segment of the ceremony, Manuel Castaneda, a resident of Los Angeles, was named the Honor Recruit for Class #335. This award is given to the recruit who achieves the highest numerical average based upon leadership qualities, social relations and personal traits, practical performance, academics, marksmanship, and physical performance throughout the training period. Additionally, Todd Kusserow was acknowledged for graduating with the highest academic score.
SHB-20A-04

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February 20, 2004

Photos available upon request.