On Thursday, April 9, Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) held the Spring 2026 graduation ceremony for Class 2026-A on the BRTC Pocahontas campus. The graduating class was composed of 33 officers from 20 different agencies and completed 608 hours of training.
The recruits and their families were welcomed by BRTC President Martin Eggensperger, Vice President of Academic Affairs Brad Baine, and LETA Director Jared Bassham at the start of the ceremony. George Vaughn of the Paragould Police Department, class spokesperson, followed Bassham and left the class with words of encouragement. Director of the University of Arkansas System Criminal Justice Institute Alicia Corder was the guest speaker for the ceremony.
The United Police Supply’s Jonathan Schmidt Memorial Scholarship was presented to Joshua Hutchinson of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office. Timothy Delmundo of the Jonesboro Police Department was awarded the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Servant Leadership Award. The Liberty Hill Outfitters Law Enforcement Scholarship was awarded to Austin (AJ) Smith of the Mammoth Spring Police Department.
BRTC LETA faculty recognized and awarded the top recruits from Class 2026-A. Austin (AJ) Smith of the Mammoth Spring Police Department was named Top Overall, which is earned by having the overall highest average in the areas of academics, firearms, EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operations Course), and physical fitness. Dalton Hooker of the Cave City Police Department earned second overall. George Vaughn of the Paragould Police Department earned third.
The 2026-A class earned an average of 92.28%. Top Academic Awards went to Dalton Hooker of the Cave City Police Department, 1st; Austin (AJ) Smith of the Mammoth Spring Police Department, 2nd; and George Vaughn of the Paragould Police Department, 3rd.
Nine LETA recruits scored a perfect 100 on their firearms training. After competing to break the tie, three recruits were awarded first place. First place winners were Gage Eades of the Paragould Police Department, Joshua Hutchinson of the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office, and Louis Stephens of the West Memphis Police Department. Wyatt Minyard of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office earned 2nd place, and Dalton Hooker of the Cave City Police Department earned 3rd.
Top Physical Training Awards for the women’s division went to Alex Williams-Wooten of the West Memphis Police Department, 1st; Taylor Fisher of the West Memphis Police Department, 2nd; and Sherriunte Porter of the Forrest City Police Department, 3rd.
Top Physical Training Awards for the men’s division went to Timothy Delmundo of the Jonesboro Police Department, 1st; Hunter Darby of the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, 2nd; and Jacob Martinez of the West Memphis Police Department, 3rd.
Top EVOC Awards went to Joshawa Lipsey of the Craighead County Sheriff’s Office, 1st; Austin (AJ) Smith of the Mammoth Spring Police Department, 2nd; and Jacob Birkhead of the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, 3rd.
Pictures of the ceremony can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackrivertech/albums/72177720333015990.
For more information about BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy contact Bridgette Rose at Bridgette.rose@blackrivertech.edu.