DOVER — Seventeen recruits in the Dover Municipal Police Academy class were honored for successfully completing a 19-week training course Friday.

The graduates came from eight Delaware police agencies and took part in a socially distanced ceremony with limited attendance at the Dover High School auditorium, Dover police spokesman Sgt. Mark Hoffman said.

Speakers at the ceremony included Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings, U.S. Attorney for the State of Delaware Dave Weiss, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen and Dover Police Chief Thomas Johnson. Delaware Gov. John Carney was originally scheduled to speak but was forced to withdraw due to a last-minute scheduling conflict.

Several awards were presented for outstanding performances by academy recruits:

• Academic Achievement Award — Max Alderson of the Dover Police Department received this award, given to the recruit who continued to demonstrate a high level of academic proficiency throughout academy training. Based on a series of tests to prove their understanding of course content, the recruits all received a final academic grade-point average. While all the recruits demonstrated tremendous work in the academic area, Mr. Alderson earned the highest average in the class with a 98.1 GPA.
• Top Shot Award — Christopher Bowen of the Bridgeville Police Department earned this award, given to the recruit who demonstrated the highest level of marksmanship proficiency and firearms safety throughout a series of day and night firearms training and qualification courses.
• Physical Fitness Award — Dover Police Department recruit Diego Zamora and Milford Police Department recruit Aline Check-Guzman won this award, presented to the male and female police recruits who demonstrated a high level of physical fitness, strength and endurance throughout the academy. These recruits also continued to push themselves to a higher level throughout the 19 weeks of physical training.
• Francis T. Schneible Resiliency Award — William Evans III of the Smyrna Police Department captured this award, given to the police recruit who showed the most resiliency during the academy. Mr. Schneible began his law enforcement career with the Dover Police Department in 1968. Just one year into his tour, Officer Schneible was shot by a shoplifting suspect armed with a shotgun. His resiliency allowed him to continue to serve for four more years with Dover, later joining the Delaware State Police. Officer Schneible lost his life 24 years after the shooting, due to difficulties stemming from the injuries he sustained. Members of the Schneible family were in attendance and were also recognized during the presentation of this award.
• Cpl. Thomas Hannon Top Recruit Award — Joshua Hebert of the Dover Police Department won this award, given to the police recruit who displayed an outstanding effort and demonstrated quality leadership throughout the academy. This recruit always gave his best effort and went above and beyond to help his classmates throughout the challenges of the academy. Cpl. Hannon began his law enforcement career with the New York City Police Department before joining the Dover Police Department in 2005. He was also named the top municipal recruit of his Delaware State Police 76th/64th Academy Class. In 2012, Cpl. Hannon suffered a leg injury during the arrest of a suspect and continued to suffer from complications as a result. On Sept. 1, 2017, he lost his life as a result of medical complications stemming from the injury and subsequent surgeries. Members of the Hannon family were in attendance and also recognized.

Also in attendance was Milford police officer, Senior Cpl. T.J. Webb, who was shot in the line of duty during a December 2020 incident. Cpl. Webb was recognized by Capt. Kevin Kober of the Dover Police Department as a model of resilience and determination to make it home each and every shift.

In his closing remarks, Capt. Kober reminded the recruits of the challenges that lie ahead and of the core values of the Dover Municipal Police Academy.

“Life has thrown all of us many challenges, and the world we live in is far from perfect,” he said. “But I have faith because of you and your commitment to this profession, despite those challenges. I believe you will make your community and our world a better and safer place, as you continue to be the examples of courage, professionalism and integrity.”

Graduating recruits from the 2020-21 Dover Municipal Police Academy include:

• Dover Police Department — Mr. Alderson, Mr. Hebert, Mr. Zamora, Erin Marshall, Jordan Marucci, Connor Pellegrini-Foley, Jake Shepherd and Anthony Slaughter.
• Smyrna Police Department — Mr. Evans.
• Newport Police Department — Mark Savino Jr.
• Harrington Police Department — Jared Hacker and Tevin Thomas.
• Milford Police Department — Ms. Check-Guzman.
• Seaford Police Department — Joan-Clare Nanola.
• Bridgeville Police Department — Mr. Bowen.
• Millsboro Police Department — Cody Jackson and Cody Justice.