10 New Deputies Graduate from Academy

 The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy celebrated the graduation of 10 police recruits at a ceremony held July 20.

Ten students completed the six-month training program, which began Jan. 27. Nine of the graduating officers joined the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office and one joined the Charles County Sheriff’s Office.

At the ceremony, Academy instructors presented awards to students who excelled in four categories. Jason Dean earned the emergency vehicle operations course award and Seth Mitchell earned the scholastic, physical training and firearms awards. Both are Calvert County officers.

The class boasted a 93.9% final academic average. Their class motto, chosen by the students at the beginning of the training program, was “Out of Many, We Are One Second to None.”

Delegate Anthony O’Donnell served as keynote speaker for the ceremony. Mr. Nicholas Valltos, assistant professor of criminal justice for the College of Southern Maryland, spoke about the articulation agreement between the Academy and the College, which provides each graduate with 15 college credits toward a criminal justice degree. Additionally, the Academy’s board of directors – Charles County Sheriff Rex W. Coffey, St. Mary’s County Sheriff Timothy K. Cameron and the chairman of the board, Calvert County Sheriff Mike Evans – and the class speaker, Officer Nicholas DeFelice, each shared remarks.

The Southern Maryland Criminal Justice Academy congratulates the following new law enforcement officers:

Charles County Sheriff’s Office:

Mark A. Bourgeois

Calvert County Sheriff’s Office:

Joseph E. Cullen

Daniel T. Deakins

Jason A. Dean

Nicholas D. DeFelice

Christopher A. McDonough

Seth M. Mitchell

James M. Morgan

Robert W. Traas

Andrew L. Woodford

FREE MAMMOGRAMS AND PAP TESTS

A local government health program offers free breast and cervical cancer screening to Maryland women between the ages of 40-64 who do not have health insurance (or if their health insurance plan does not pay for these tests.) There is an income limit determined by the number of people in your household but it is very generous. If you have already seen your doctor and he/she wants you to have a diagnostic mammogram or a colposcopy, we can cover these too. Don't delay! Call today to see if you are eligible for this free health care. We have offices in Dunkirk and Solomons. Call 410-286-7992

Calvert Sheriff's Cpl. Moschetto Gains Advanced Law Enforcement Degree

Corporal Anthony C. Moschetto of the Calvert County Sheriff’s Office was recently recognized as one of the State’s newest graduates of Maryland’s Institute of Advance Law Enforcement Studies, a university-level impaired driving prevention course offered through the University of Maryland and the Maryland State Highway Administration’s Highway Safety Office (MHSO).  The course provides participants with a more thorough understanding of alcohol, as well as valuable tools to strengthen Maryland’s already vigorous impaired driving enforcement efforts.
“Impaired driving is one of the biggest dangers on our roadways,” stated Sheriff Mike Evans.  “We are committed to arresting impaired drivers, as well as preparing our officers for court trials and providing them with an understanding of the physiological nature of alcohol addiction and impairment.”
Law enforcement organizations are critical partners in the effort to curb impaired driving related crashes, injuries, and associated deaths.  Since 2001, Maryland has experienced more than 270 fatalities every year due to impaired driving-related causes and more than 4,500 injuries also result from impaired driving every year.
“Enforcement officers are integral to the solution of dealing with impaired drivers,” stated Dr. Kenneth Beck of the University of Maryland.  “The graduates of this program are now more prepared than ever to deal with impaired drivers before, during and after an arrest.”
The University of Maryland expects to offer this course again in June 2008 with scholarship opportunities available through local Community Traffic Safety Programs.

Outstanding 4-Her's

Cathy Burroughs and Allan Goddard of the Tudor Hall 4-H Club were recently named the 2006 4-Her's of the year for St. Mary's County.

Gottshalk - Spalding, Jr. engaged

Mary Gottshalk of Leonardtown, and Ronald Spalding, Jr. of Leonardtown,  got engaged aboard the Carnival Legend Cruise Ship on their way to the eastern caribbean on Oct. 4, 2006.

The wedding has been set for Saturday, May 17, 2008 in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.

The bride is the daughter of Linda Gottshalk.

The groom is the son of Mary and Charles Buono of Leoanrdtown, & Ronald L. Spalding, Sr of Solomons.

Charles Sheriff's Deputy Visits 1st Baby Born on Mother's Day

Brian and Catherine Donaldson of Bryans Road became the proud parents of Craig Michael on May 14 at 4:32 a.m. Baby Craig weighed in at 5 lbs., 2 oz. Cpl. Robert Padgett, of the Sheriff’s Office Traffic Operations Unit, visited the family on Tues., May 16, to present them with the safety seat.

Because the Donaldson family already had the appropriate safety seat for Baby Craig, Padgett ensured the seat was installed correctly and gave the family safety tips to remember when traveling with their newborn. Additionally, he provided the Donaldson family with a safety seat Baby Craig can use when he is ready to graduate to the next level seat.

The Charles County Sheriff’s Office is committed to ensuring the safety of children just like Baby Craig by promoting the importance of property child safety seat use. For information regarding what type of child safety seat your child should use, or to schedule an officer to install or check your safety seat free of cost, call 301-932-3052. Cpl. Padgett and a number of other officers and cadets are certified by Safe Kids to install child safety seats.