FCSD reserves complete training

By Staff
Melissa Cason
Seven people recently graduated from a unique program when the Franklin County Sheriff's Department held graduation ceremonies for the 2009 deputy reserve class.
Reserve Commander Lt. Mike Franklin congratulated the class of seven graduates for completing the course successfully.
"When we started we had 11 members of this class, and we are graduating seven," Franklin said. "That goes to show this is not for everyone."
Franklin said the graduates logged in more than 120 hours during the academy and completed 10 written exams and two physical fitness tests.
"We had two firsts this year," Franklin said.
"This was the first year we had our reserves undergo physical fitness tests and it was the first time we offered classes with the Russellville Reserve Academy as well."
Franklin said each reserve completed two physical fitness tests – one test in the beginning and one test at the end – to see their improvement.
"Our reserves improved from one test to the next," Franklin said. "They should be very proud of their accomplishments here today."
Three awards were also given out during the graduation. The recipients of these awards were Jaime Key, sharp shooter award; Jaime Key, academic award for having a 96.2 average; and Caleb Thompson, sheriff's award.
"The sheriff's award is given to the most improved reserve," Franklin said.
The 2009 Sheriff's Deputy Reserve Class included Jaime Key, Bretta Wigginton, Dennis Riner, Charles Key, Caleb Thompson, Tommy Thrasher and Steve Brindley.