For Immediate Release

Contact: Katie Glass, Executive Director of Marketing/Public Information Officer
Phone: 608.822.2411
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: September 5, 2017

Southwest Tech 720-Hour Law Enforcement Academy Graduation

On August 31^st, 2017 on the UW-Platteville campus, seven students graduated from the 720-Hour Law Enforcement Academy taught by Southwest Wisconsin Technical College.

After a presentation of colors by the Grant County Law Enforcement Honor Guard and the Pledge of Allegiance led by class co-president, Bradley Schumacher, keynote speaker and Cuba City Chief of Police, Terry Terpstra, addressed the students and their guests and families.  Terpstra commented how in the 20 years he’s spent in law enforcement he’s seen many changes, but the one constant has been, “the commitment and dedication of the many men and women who have been chosen for the career.”  Fittingly, Terpstra had seven pieces of advice for the seven graduates.  He encouraged them to always remember family is first, maintain respect and compassion, seek help, speak up, “always watch the hands,” go home safe, and don’t take this opportunity for granted.

Co-president Tanner Prochaska also addressed the crowd expressing special thanks to Brenda Schwartzman, Writing Instructor at Southwest Tech, who helped the academy students with their reporting class.

The graduation concluded with Southwest Tech Criminal Justice Director, Kris Wubben, handing out 720 Academy Challenge Coins, a common law enforcement and military tradition representative of the high level of work required to complete law enforcement academy, to each student.  Finally, the Leadership Award was presented to Scott Schoenwetter and the “Back-up Officer” award was given to Tanner Prochaska as the student who’s classmates would most like to have behind them in a time of need.

720-Hour Law Enforcement Academy Graduates August 2017 (Left to right) Tanner Prochaska, Dodgeville, WI; Brendan Cutrell, Baraboo, WI; Alexander Secord, Johnsburg, WI; Scott Schoenwetter, Waupun, WI; Bradley Schumacher, Shullsburg, WI; William Fike, Lancaster, WI; Miles Blake, Baraboo, WI