Highlights from the 2012 Youth Academy

Congratulations to the 2012 graduates of the Sheriff’s Office Youth Academy! Eighteen students ages 11 through 17 recently learned about the duties and responsibilities of the Sheriff’s Office through demonstrations, hands-on activities, tours and discussions.

During the four-day experience, they observed the Sheriff’s Emergency Response Team (SERT) that handles potentially dangerous situations involving inmates and saw demonstrations of emergency vehicle equipment and operation, inmate transportation and restraint techniques, and firearms safety and use of force. They also went on public safety history scavenger hunt and attended a sentencing scenario at the Alexandria Courthouse. At the end of the program, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne presented each with a certificate of achievement during a graduation ceremony with their family members and Sheriff’s Office staff.

Photo: Front (l-r): Community Relations Deputy Valarie Wright, Jacob McVicker, Delilah Morritz, Diondre Charlton, Marcus Rodriguez, Khayri Lucien, Crystal Davis, Jailen Staten, Aba Morrison, Sheriff Dana Lawhorne, and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Bryan Porter.Back (l-r): Councilman Frank Fannon, Mieron Asfaha, Elijah Robinson, Jomar Bonilla, Peter Laboy, Kayla Pierce, Tamiya Johnson, Madison Ignacio, Bryce Roper, Lorenzo Lipscomb, and Ryan Thaxton.