Columbia, S.C. (June 21, 2017) – The American Legion South Carolina Nathan M. Wolfe Law Enforcement Cadet Academy will hold its 44th commencement exercises starting at 1:00pm on Friday June 23, 2017 at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, 5400 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC.
The commencement speaker for the Law Cadet Program is Captain Tarra Laffin of the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Captain Laffin is the first female Captain to serve with the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Mrs. Kassy Alia founder of Heroes In Blue, and widow of fallen officer Greg Alia of Forest Acers Police Department, will present an award. Corporal Kimber Gist of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, who is an in the line of duty shooting survivor will also be a presenter during this year’s commencement.
The Law Cadet Academy was organized in 1973 by The American Legion, Department of South Carolina for high school students who were interested in a future career in Law Enforcement. This program was started to give the students a better working knowledge of the Law Enforcement field and to show the everyday demands of an officer.
Past Department Commander Nathan M. Wolfe was a great supporter of the program. Mr. Wolfe was very proud of the program and believed that it helped to touch the lives of the young adults that were able to experience it. Mr. Wolfe helped organize the start of the law enforcement cadet academy in 1973 and was involved in the program every year until his passing in 2003. Mr. Wolfe was a dedicated and active member of The American Legion and spent many years as the Post Adjutant for Post 71 ( North Augusta). Mr. Wolfe also served as the National Vice Commander of The American Legion.
The mission for the Nathan Wolfe Academy is to immerse young adults into an environment of structure and discipline to guide them through a week of instructions, lectures, and hands on training. The intent of these lectures, instructions, and hands on training is to provide the youth with a more in formative view of law enforcement and the training that goes on behind the scenes. It is the goal of the Nathan Wolfe Law Enforcement Academy to provide each young adult with a broad view of law enforcement in South Carolina and give them an opportunity to have a hands-on experience. Whether they are interested in law enforcement as a career or not, each young adult will leave with a better knowledge and appreciation of what law enforcement does.
