Photos: Diverse class of 56 graduates from LA County Sheriff’s Academy
Graduate and Marine veteran Gabriel Garcia is joined by his father, Andrew Garcia, holding an El Salvadoran flag, following the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 graduation ceremony on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 are sworn in as peace officers on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 pose for a photo following their graduation ceremony on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Members of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 enter Ingall’s Auditorium for their graduation ceremony on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sgt. Joe Araujo and his son Joesph attend the graduation ceremony for the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sheriff Robert Luna is joined by Olympic Gold Medalist and six time boxing world champion Sugar Ray at the graduation ceremony of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sheriff Robert Luna inspects members of the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 prior to their graduation ceremony on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sheriff Robert Luna comes out to inspect the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sheriff Robert Luna presides over graduation ceremonies for the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sheriff Robert Luna presides over graduation ceremonies for the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Sheriff Robert Luna presides over graduation ceremonies for the L.A. Sheriff’s Department Academy Class 464 on Friday, Mar. 3, 2023, at East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
In a ceremony with a little extra punch — a visit from boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard — Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna presided over graduation ceremonies for academy class no. 464, Friday, Feb. 3, at East Los Angeles College’s Ingalls Auditorium.
“You are the future of law enforcement and the future of our safety is in your hands,” said Leonard, 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist and six-time world champion in five different weight categories, who shared some of the struggles from his career.
“The one thing I had over (my opponents) was the same quality you possess,” Leonard told the graduates, “we don’t quit.”
The 56 graduates — 10 women and 46 men — reflected a wide array of backgrounds.
Luna praised the graduates, and lauded their diversity, tenacity, strength and teamwork. “I look at an amazing group that has been through a tremendous amount, not only the graduating peace officers, but their families…and the training staff as well. … I consistently mention partnerships and relationships. The partnerships you have made with each other are a bond that you will have for the rest of your careers if not your lives.”
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Also on hand were county Supervisor Kathryn Barger and chiefs from various county police departments. “Thank you for trusting the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department,” Luna said to the chiefs, “to train to train your best who will serve your communities.”
Much of the emphasis of the event rested on the loved one who buoyed the cadets’ efforts.
“Congratulations to all the families and friends,” said Captain Pat MacDonald, in concluding the ceremony,” who supported your loved ones throughout this journey.”
