Proud Sister

I had the privilege of seeing my younger brother, Kendall, fulfill his career goal...he is now a member of a local sheriff's department.  He has spent the last nine weeks (and many years in other efforts to succeed in this field!) training, which included written exams, gun safety and accuracy, baton training, pepper (OC) spray experience, and hand to hand combat scenarios.  He worked very hard and we could all tell how excited he was to start this new career.

The graduation ceremony included several speeches, oath of office, and a pinning ceremony.  The two speeches that were the most impressive were from the sheriff and one of the trainers.

The sheriff told the group that they should be committed to helping the facility to be safe for the prisoners and staff.  Their job was not to just contain the prisoners like animals but to treat everyone as if they had just made mistakes that needed to be rectified....not that there were not bad people that needed to be watched but that they should all be given opportunity to change.  He also told the group that they should be able to determine if this job was right for them and make the decision to give up their badge if they were not able to give their best to this commitment.

The trainer said that the main thing he could offer for advice was to remind them of the acronym for the word SHERIFF:

S- Service to others (Service in Leadership...lead by example)
H- Honesty (on duty and off)
E- Embrace diversity
R- Respect (it must be given to receive)
I- Integrity (again...in all settings!)
F- Full accountability for their actions- responsibility for actions
F- Family...make time for your own but know that the department is one big family unit ready to help each other

It was great to see Kendall walk across the stage to receive his certificate of completion and then recite the oath of office.  However, my favorite part was watching our mom pin him with his sheriff badge!  So awesome!

It was a great day...so glad that Mom, Adrian (oldest brother), Loretta (family friend), Sean, Henry, Zaira, and I were able to be there to support him...I know that the rest of the family is proud of him also.  Great job, Kendall!