UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Throughout 19 weeks of rigorous training, a class of 36 newly hired deputy sheriffs formed a bond that helped them succeed as they completed the Penn State-run Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Program.
They graduate together on Aug. 22, becoming the 71st class to do so since the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) selected the Penn State Justice and Safety Institute (JASI) as the academy’s administrator in 2000. JASI is a service of Penn State Outreach.
Class President Justin Contreras from Luzerne County Sheriff’s Office said saying goodbye to the classmates he led will feel bittersweet.
“Everyone here has built into such a strong, close-knit family at this point. It is going to tough to say goodbye,” Contreras said. “At the same time, it is very rewarding to know that we have gone through this together. We have completed the tasks that we needed to together, and now we are all so knowledgeable in all the different aspects of our jobs, and we can go back to our offices and do them to the best of our ability.”
Comprised of deputy sheriffs from 22 counties throughout the state, each member of the class will go back to their home communities with the tools needed to serve.
During the academy, trainees received instruction in several law enforcement areas, including Pennsylvania crime codes and civil procedures, cultural diversity, ethics, firearms, first responder/first aid, defensive tactics, courtroom security and physical training.
“This entire program extensively goes into all aspects of the job and dives deep into everything you are going to be involved with on a daily basis as a deputy sheriff and sets you up for success in the future,” Contreras said. “There are 22 departments that will be getting back a fully certified deputy that has shown the capability to complete the skills they need for the job.”
Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, judges, attorneys, and local, state and federal law enforcement officers help deliver the training, providing real world insight into the challenges that deputies might face while working to keep the community safe.
Class Vice President Bryton McClure, from Butler County Sheriff’s Office, said the support offered during the training went beyond the classwork.
“The trainers were very encouraging, and they were there with us every step of the way to ensure that we understood the curriculum,” McClure said. “Every single one of them has been with us, talked to us and shared stories and even sat and had lunch with us, as we have gone on this journey.”
That journey was made more difficult for McClure, who like many of the deputies, was away from his family and loved ones during weeks of training. He said he is grateful for the support he has back home from his significant other while he is away from their four children.
Like Contreras, McClure said the bonds he formed with the other deputies in the class was something that made the sacrifice worthwhile.
“We have deputies from 22 different counties with 22 different ways to do things, but while we were going through this academy, we all put our heads together, we all worked together and cheered for each other,” McClure said. “So having that camaraderie was a big thing for all of us.”
For Centre County Deputy Devan Stoner being back on campus for the training felt like a homecoming of sorts. She graduated from Penn State in 2023 with a degree in agricultural science, which she said will be useful to support Centre County’s new Humane Officer.
“Being back at Penn State for his training is a very full-circle moment for me. My whole family worked at Penn State, and my brother and I went to Penn State, so to come back here to go through this has been great,” Stoner said. Stoner said she started at the sheriff’s office in October, so she got a taste of what her job will be before starting at the academy in April.
“Now, after going through this program, you can take everything you learned back and it all makes sense,” Stoner said.
The Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Education and Training Program provides certification and re-certification for approximately 2,100 active sheriffs and deputy sheriffs across the commonwealth. To learn more, visit the PCCD website.