Ready to serve - Public Safety Graduation

On Dec. 17, the Metropolitan Community College-Blue River Public Safety Institute graduated 36 students from the Fire Safety science academy. The program included the Gladstone Fire Department during the presentation of colors, Excelsior Springs Fire Chaplain, Larry Block and retiree from the Jackson County Sheriff’s department, Steve Leone as the guest singer.

Graduates from Fire Academy class FA-19 are:

Brianna C. Able
Aaron R. Bagby
Lee W. Cain
Quintin J. Clark
Justin A. Contreras
Craig W. Cumpton
Christopher M. Davis
Christopher J. Deardorff
Andrew G. Dressler
Jeremy P. Fordyce
Sam J. Golden
Daniel J. Hargrave
Aaron C. Harrison
Adam C. Hartley
Adam C. Hickmon
Matthew G. Hill
Jeremy N. Huffman
Ryan J. Johnson
Tyrone A. Jones
Philip D. Lang
Nathaniel H. Leonard
Jordan C. Liberty
Robbie V. Medellin
Timothy L. Merriman
Rachel A. Montes
John D. Neldon
Lucas T. Pilgrim
Aaron N. Price
Matthew D. Roe
Michael D. Roe
Jaymes J. Sanders
Kenneth E. Soule Jr.
Joshua M. Sutton
Aleksey Tsurkan
Erica B. Walley
Matt D. Wells

On Dec. 20, the Police Academy also proudly graduated 34 cadets. The presentation of colors was delivered by the Cass county Sheriff’s office.

Graduates from Police Academy class 7-100 are:

Nichole D. Amer
David A. Benham
Henry R. W. Blaha
Josh A. Brown
Jeffrey Robert Buck
Daniel O. Char
Joseph L. Drake
Seth S. Gregory
Christopher R. Hedrick
Michael D. Hightower
Nick J. Hill
Dalton J. L. Howard
Joshua P. Hubbell
Katisha L. Johnson
Derek A. King
Devin T. Liles
Amanda L. Litsch
Jacob A. Marshall
Reggie L. McKeithen
Dustin P. McWhorter
Mary Katherine O’Dell
Ian D. Olson
Michael K. Plemmons
Jeremiah D. Renne
David M. Shepherdson Jr.
Michael A. Smith
Jessica N. Sooter
Aaron D. Stone
Daniel L. Stringer
Arron H. Thomas
Linda D. Tran
Drew E. VanBiber
Eric J. Wendel
Brandon M. Wilcox

Both graduation ceremonies were on the Blue River campus inside the Arts and Sciences Gymnasium.

MCC-Blue River receives $1,000 gift

The family of Aaron Smith presented a kind and generous gift to the MCC-Blue River Fire Academy in his memory on Dec. 17. Smith graduated with class F-17 a year ago this month.

Public Safety Institute director, Mike Hendershot says of Smith, "he was one of those individuals that brought life to our academies, and was full of life and lived it to the fullest. Simply a pleasure to be around."

MCC-Blue River's PSI's Guns and Hoses

The bi-annual Guns and Hoses competition, sponsored by the MCC-Blue River Public Safety Institute, is a familiar staple on the Blue River campus. Fusing athletic fun with campus spirit; the event provided an enjoyable and entertaining spectacle in late October and early November.

Representatives from both the Fire and Police Academies competed in volleyball, dodge ball, soccer and flag football.

In spite of fierce competition on both ends, the Fire Academy retained the coveted Guns and Hoses Trophy by wining 4 out of 5 competitions. Along with their win [and the trophy], the champs also received Trailblazers Guns and Hoses championship t-shirts (which they are sporting in the picture).

However, all was not lost for the Police Academy, rallying from 14 points behind in flag football; they swiped the victory with a last minute touchdown.

When all was said and done, “Both academies had a great time and demonstrated exceptional school spirit," said David Owens, Blue River's fitness, recreation, and athletic programs coordinator.

Future officers remember fallen police officer

On Nov.10, the recruits from the MCC-Blue River Police academy honored fallen St. Joseph Police Officer Brad Arn with a 4-mile run in St. Joe, Missouri.

The run was organized by Blue River student Michael Smith who reportedly said (to News Press Now) that the class was "touched by the way Arn so unfortunately lost his life."

Their magnanimous gesture garnered the attention of several area press outlets. Blue River PSTI Western Missouri Director, Mike W. Hendershot, says everything went extremely well and he was very proud of the event. “It was moving for all in attendance,” said Hendershot.

Officer Arn’s twin daughters were only one year old at the time of his passing. Now, thirteen, they attended yesterday’s tribute along with Arn’s widow. The Blue River recruits presented the family with a plaque.

You may learn more about the event and the fine work of Public Safety Institute recruits at the following sites:

• St. Joseph News Press Now
  
  
• St. Joe Channel – Includes video!

An exceptional run to honor an exceptional man

MCC-Blue River’s Police Academy recruits go to extraordinary lengths to honor extraordinary people.

Tomorrow, Nov.10, they will pay homage to a fallen St. Joseph police officer during a commemorative Run.

The honoree, Officer Bradley T. Arn, of the St. Joseph Police Department, was killed in the line of duty in 1998.

The St. Joe Run will start at MO-78/Lake City Buckner Road and end at [their] City Hall. A sea of blue t-shirts, designed by the MCC PSI recruits, will mark the distinguished occasion.

Over one 100 participants are expected to attend, in addition to about 40 from the Police and Fire Academy. Also expected to participate are about 60 officers from the St. Joseph Police Department.

Each Police Academy class chooses a departed officer in which to pay special tribute. Tomorrow’s run represents the 7th event by the Institute. The recruits are part of MCC's Public Safety Institute.

For more information, email Mike Hendershot. You may reach him via telephone at 816.220.6700.

(Video by Sean Kitchell)

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