SANFORD - Seven individuals are among the most recent graduates of the Central Carolina Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) program.

The graduates - with hometowns listed -- are Jorge Daniel Benavidez (Sanford), Lemar Elliott Benjamin (Coats), Melanny Arzu Moore (Cameron), Andrew Blake Smith (Fuquay-Varina), Matthew Rocco Tortolani (Broadway), and Alexis Villarreal (Cameron) of the Spring 2021 Night Class, and Michael Eugene Lashley (Lumberton) of the Spring 2021 Day Class.

A ceremony to honor the graduates was held at 6 p.m. July 27 at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic & Conference Center in Sanford.

Several of the graduates were recognized for outstanding achievement during their training. They were: Fastest Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) - Chase/ Apprehension - Matthew Rocco Tortolani; Fastest Police Officers Physical Abilities Test (POPAT) - Rescue - Matthew Rocco Tortolani; Jimmy Collins Top Gun Award - Alexis Villarreal; Highest Class Average - Alexis Villarreal; and Highest State Exam - Matthew Rocco Tortolani.

Deputy Brandon Davies of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office was guest speaker. Class Response was by Andrew Smith, Class Leader. Welcome was by Neil Ambrose, CCCC BLET Program Director.

Ambrose and Lt. Travis Daggett of the Harnett County Sheriff's Office awarded the graduation certificates. Salutation was by Percy Crutchfield, CCCC Department Chair, Public Safety, Emergency Services.

Class sponsors were the Harnett County Sheriff's Office, Lee County Sheriff's Office, and Rowland Police Department.

To learn more about the Central Carolina Community College Basic Law Enforcement Training program, visit www.cccc.edu/blet.