SANFORD, N.C. - Seventeen individuals are among the most recent graduates of the Central Carolina Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program.

The graduates are Brandon Chase Austin, Dustin Charles Bigford, Bailey Jenson Carroll, Jordan Hope Collins, Lorenzo Morries DeLaCruz, Gregory Jason Dobek, Tamara Escandon Gasca, Jairus Joe Holley, Andrew Douglas Howard, Bryan Austin McLeod, Robert Harvey Nixon, David Moises Padron, Christopher Dawson Riggins, Andrew Miguel Sharp, Ethan Carlis Stallings, Reid Calvin Thomas, and Josua Emmanuel Williams.

A ceremony to honor the graduates was held Dec. 20 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford.

Guest speaker was Detective Michael Klingman of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office. Tracy Painter Kelly, CCCC BLET Program Director, Public Services, awarded graduation certification. Class response was by Rob Nixon. Presentation of Colors was by the Chatham County Honor Guard.

Several of the graduates were recognized for outstanding achievement during their training. They were: Fastest Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) - Chase/ Apprehension - Christopher Riggins; Fastest Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) - Rescue - Christopher Riggins; Jimmy Collins Top Gun Award - Dustin Bigford; Highest Class Average - Ethan Stallings; and Highest State Exam - Brandon Chase Austin.

Class sponsors were the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Moore County Sheriff's Office, North Carolina State Parks, Benson Police Department, and Sanford Police Department.

To learn more about the Central Carolina Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training program, visit www.cccc.edu/blet.