Press Release

Six male and three female officers from the Baldwin Park, Gardena, Glendora, Los Angeles Unified School District, Monterey Park, and San Marino Police Departments, along with 52 male and 19 female Deputy Sheriffs, graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Training Academy in Whittier during ceremonies held on Friday, August 30, 2002.

Chief Rodney Lyons of the Gardena Police Department, delivered the keynote address to the graduates and their guests.

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

Deputy Raymond Kress, a resident of Covina, was named the Honor Recruit for Class #329. 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, Deputies Raymond Kress and Michael Dekowski were acknowledged for graduating with the highest academic scores.

SHB-69A-02

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August 30, 2002

Photos available upon request.