Ten deputy sheriffs graduated from the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy on June 17. Sheriff Sean Casey and members of his command and training staff attended Session 150’s graduation ceremony at Cornerstone Church in Leesburg.

Congratulations to Deputy Kevon Adams, Deputy Sarah Born, Deputy Ashley Chavez, Deputy Emeka Eze, Deputy Portia Green, Deputy Malik McCoy, Deputy Yassoukaye Reynolds, Deputy Elliangel Vega, Deputy Solomon Wodajo and Deputy Ismael Yacouba Garba!

Ceremony highlights included the keynote speech by Chief Cindy McAlister who retired last month from the Purcellville Police Department and the presentation of awards for achievement among the recruits. Deputy Born was selected by her classmates as a vice president for Session 150 and Deputy Reynolds finished second in the physical fitness category for female recruits.

These new law enforcement officers successfully completed 20 weeks of training, including emergency vehicle operations, firearms training, defensive and control tactics, crash investigation, de-escalation techniques, active bystandership, basic legal training, jail operations, courthouse security, civil process, and serving diverse communities.

The graduates will continue in field training at the Sheriff’s Office before beginning their regular assignments.

Photo: (l-r) Sheriff Sean Casey, Deputy Ismael Yacouba Garba, Deputy Emeka Eze, Deputy Malik McCoy, Deputy Solomon Wodajo, Deputy Yassoukaye Reynolds, Deputy Kevon Adams, Deputy Sarah Born, Deputy Elliangel Vega, Deputy Portia Green, Deputy Ashley Chavez, Undersheriff Robyn Nichols and academy instructor Master Deputy William Summers.