On Thursday, November 13, Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) Law Enforcement Training Academy (LETA) held the Fall 2025 graduation ceremony for Class 2025-B on the BRTC Pocahontas campus. The graduating class was composed of 42 officers from 26 different agencies and completed 604 hours of training.
The recruits and their families were welcomed by BRTC President Martin Eggensperger and Vice President of Academic Affairs Brad Baine at the start of the ceremony. Trevor Jones of the Blytheville Police Department, class spokesperson, followed Baine and left the class with words of encouragement. Deputy Director of Training for the Arkansas Division of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (ADLEST) Jason Lawrence was the guest speaker for the ceremony.
The United Police Supply’s Jonathan Schmidt Memorial Scholarship was presented to Kerry Goodlow of the Crittenden County Sheriff’s Office. Kenneth Gillmore of the Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office was awarded the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Servant Leadership Award.
BRTC LETA faculty recognized and awarded the top recruits from Class 2025-B. Tristen Griese of the Paragould 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. Robert Phillips of the Paragould Police Department earned second overall. Hunter Fortson of the Cleburne County Sheriff’s Office earned third.
Top Academic Awards went to Sydney Musticchi of the Jonesboro Police Department, 1st; Isaiah Sands of the Arkansas Highway Police, 2nd; and Robert Phillips of the Paragould Police Department, 3rd.
Top Firearms were Thomas Olmos Jr., of the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, 1st; Noah Burnside of the Walnut Ridge Police Department and Billy Mixon Jr., of the Boone County Sheriff’s Office, 2nd; and Scottie Ward of the Paragould Police Department, 3rd.
Top Physical Training Awards went to Eric Grisham of the Mountain Home Police Department, 1st; Isaiah Sands of the Arkansas Highway Police, 2nd; and Ethan Perez of the Independence County Sheriff’s Office, 3rd.
Top EVOC Awards went to Garrett Gurley of the Arkansas Highway Police, 1st; Tanner Weckwerth of the Heber Springs Police Department, 2nd; and Robert Phillips of the Paragould Police Department, 3rd.
Pictures of the ceremony can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/blackrivertech/albums/72177720330316921/.
For more information about BRTC’s Law Enforcement Training Academy contact Bridgette Rose at Bridgette.rose@blackrivertech.edu