Press Release

Eight female and forty-seven male Deputy Sheriffs, as well as one female and two male Police Officers from the Los Angeles Unified School District and Burbank Police Departments, graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Training Academy during ceremonies held on Friday, April 12, 2002, at the College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. "Buck" McKeon, United States Congressman of the 25th District, delivered the keynote address to the graduates and their guests. As part of the graduation, a badge-pinning ceremony was conducted, with the new police officers and deputies receiving their badges from a family member or other loved one. After receiving their certificates, the graduates were officially sworn in as peace officers by Sheriff Lee Baca. He told them, "Each of you will become a leader within your organization as well as within the communities you will serve. The challenge before you is to perform your law enforcement duties with respect for all people and to serve as positive role models to those with whom you come into contact."

In a special segment of the ceremony, Jacob Goble, a resident of Palmdale, was named the Honor Recruit for Class #327. 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. Also recognized during the ceremony was Lisa Ramsey-Russell, a resident of Santa Clarita, who was acknowledged for graduating with the highest academic scores.

SHB-26A-02

April 12, 2002

Photos available upon request.