PHOTO: Southern Maryland's newest Corrections Officers, from left to right, are Nicole Chimko-Fahey, Andre Hill,Jr., Steven Davis, Stephen Hance, DeCarlo Weaver, Kurt Burger, Joseph Butler, III, Deborah Bartholow, Theresa Patterson, Rebecca Webb and Justin Cail.
Eleven new correctional officers began serving and protecting their respective counties recently after their graduation from the Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy Oct. 21.
The 11 students successfully completed the eight-week training program, which began Aug. 29, 2005. The Charles County Sheriff's Office welcomed six new officers, the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office welcomed four new officers and the Calvert County Sheriff's Office welcomed one new officer.
At the ceremony, Academy instructors presented awards to students who excelled in two categories. Officer Nicole Chimko-Fahey of the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Office received the physical fitness award and Officer Rebecca Webb of the Charles County Sheriff's Office received the scholastic achievement award.
The class boasted a 93.5 percent final class academic average. Their class motto, chosen by the students at the beginning of the training program, was "Tough Times Build Character, Tough Teams Succeed."
Mr. Walter Ridley, chairman of the Maryland Commission on Correctional Standards, served as keynote speaker for the ceremony. Ed Schauf of the College of Southern Maryland's legal studies department spoke about the articulation agreement between the Academy and the College, which provides each graduate with six college credits toward the college's criminal justice program. Gloria Herndon, administrator for the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), also spoke during the ceremony. Additionally, Charles County Sheriff Frederick E. Davis, St. Mary's County Sheriff David Zylak and Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans shared remarks with the graduates.
The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy congratulates the following new correctional officers:
Charles County
Kurt Burger
Joseph Butler, III
Steven Davis
Theresa Patterson
DeCarlo Weaver
Rebecca Webb
Calvert County:
Stephen Hance
St. Mary's County
Deborah Bartholow
Justin Cail
Nicole Chimko-Fahey
Andre Hill