Retired U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Willie J. Williams was the special guest speaker at Tuesday night’s Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy graduation at Temple Baptist Church in Cullman. (Christy Perry for The Cullman Tribune)
CULLMAN – Temple Baptist Church hosted the graduation ceremony for the Cullman County Sheriff Office’s Citizens’ Academy Tuesday evening. The 33 citizen graduates were honored by Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry and special guest speaker, retired U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Willie J. Williams.
The CCSO Citizens’ Academy is a nine-week program that builds a better understanding between citizens and law enforcement. The participants learn and witness different aspects of law enforcement.
Gentry addressed the graduates, “We love being with our citizens, and our academy graduates are great leaders who can change mindsets of the community in regards to law enforcement. The sheriff’s office belongs to ALL of us in the community.”
Special guest speaker Williams grew up in Moundville, and after joining the Marine Corps, rose to the rank of lieutenant general and third in command of the United States Marine Corp. He retired in 2013 after serving 39 years. (Read a feature on Willams at www.militarytimes.com/2013/04/01/marine-corps-no-3-general-to-retire)
Williams thanked the graduates for their service to the community, saying, “We have a great country and great people. Our greatness comes from the willingness of citizens to serve our country and communities at all levels.
“Our greatest responsibility is to defend our constitution and to ensure that all of our citizens are guaranteed the rights set forth by our Founding Fathers. Defending those rights can cause conflict among us more so domestically than we are defending our country on foreign soil. We must make sure we aren’t infringing on the rights of others while exercising our own. Law enforcement is crucial in policing this. Regardless of level or type of service, we pledge to uphold the constitution of this country, not to kings, queens, monarchs, dictators or political parties. Our allegiance is to the democratic republic of the United States of America. The most important office in our democratic republic is that of the citizens.”
Williams praised the graduates for volunteering their service to, “help deliver on these guarantees and patriotic spirit. The gap between the government and its citizens is widening but programs like the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Academy are helping to narrow that gap. Leaders facilitate the success in others and they do so in how they behave and conduct themselves.”
The Fall 2018 graduates of the CCSO Citizens’ Academy are:
Barry Borum, Sandy Brown, Bailee Clark, O’Neal Dutton, Judy Echols, Gloria Fanning, Scott Glover, Heather Gudger, Anthony Harper, Frances Headley, Nathan Hudson, William Langlois, Candace Light, Norman Lindsey, Patricia Lindsey, Brenda Link, Robert Mahler, Janet Oden, Angie Parson, Todd Quattlebaum, Carl Reid, Diane Reid, Kay Shabel, Kevin Sherrell, Alesia Taylor, Lori Thomas, Seth Thompson, Lacey Watts, Julie Wheeler, Devan Williams, Jerry Woods, Angela Young and Janice Young.
Robert Mahler loved the academy. His wife, Linda, said, “He was like a kid on the days he had academy.”
Shared Mahler, “I have a new appreciation for police officers. I was amazed by so many things I learned. The evidence room, what all goes into investigations, ride alongs, and just all the different aspects that it takes for the sheriff’s office to function is amazing.”
Other activities included a simulation with laser guns. Robert laughed, “I guess I did good. They said the laser got the bad guy in the head, but it’s hard to determine in a split second threats from the normal folks. It’s tough work! We also met the police dogs and we had a member of the secret service speak to us about the roles they have.”
Mahler said that he would definitely recommend the academy course to those interested in law enforcement and are wanting to have a better understanding of how it works. The next nine-week course will be offered in the spring with dates to be announced at a later date.
See photos from Tuesday night's graduation here.
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