SUNY Canton Law Enforcement Academy Cadets Start Their Careers

CANTON, NY (05/13/2009)(readMedia)-- Cheryl Crayford of Heuvelton will be earning a diploma and a badge during her final week at SUNY Canton.

Crayford is one of several Law Enforcement Leadership students who opted to complete their senior-level internships as cadets in the David Sullivan/St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy.

"The 2009 academy graduating class included several students in the Law Enforcement Leadership and Criminal Justice programs," said Academy Director and University Police Deputy Chief Steven L. Livernois. "By completing their cadet-level training while enrolled in courses, they have placed themselves in a prime position for employment immediately following graduation."

Crayford is a sworn officer of the Canton Village Police Department and will be completing the field-training portion of her education with the department. She is the daughter of Debra Crayford and is a 2005 graduate of Heuvelton Central School.

Both the current students and traditional cadets will be honored at the Academy's 14th commencement ceremony at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Richard W. Miller Campus Center's Kingston Theater. The event is free and open to the public.

Among the cadets to complete the law enforcement academy are:

  • Timothy A. Bacon of Massena is a sworn officer of the SUNY Canton University Police. The son of Ronald and Barbara Bacon of Massena, he is a 2003 graduate of Massena High School and a 2007 graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Robert Barlow of Norfolk is a sworn officer of the Norfolk Police Department. The son of Richard and Nancy Barlow, he is a 2007 graduate of Norwood Norfolk Central High School and a 2009 graduate of SUNY Canton with an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Michael Benedict Jr. of Akwesasne is a sworn officer of the St. Regis Tribal Police Department. The son of Michael and Leona Benedict of Akwesasne, he is a 1989 graduate of Salmon River Central School and a 1992 graduate of North Country Community College.
  • Ryan L. Bogardus of Gouverneur is a sworn officer of the Norwood Police Department. The son of Peter and Penny Borgardus of Fowler, he is a 1998 graduate of Gouverneur Central High School and a 2008 graduate of SUNY Canton with a bachelor's degree in Criminal Investigation.
  • Ross Carnie of Turin is a sworn officer of the Antwerp Police Department. The son of Robert and Mary Jane Carnie of Turin, he is a 2007 graduate of South Lewis High School and a 2009 graduate of SUNY Canton with an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
  • David Cotey of Norwood completed his pre-employment police basic training. The son of Charles and Ann Cotey of Norwood, he is a 2005 graduate of Norwood Norfolk Central High School and a dual graduate at SUNY Canton with a certificate in Motorsports and an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Tandy Cyrus of Potsdam is a sworn officer of the Norfolk Police Department. The daughter of Joe and Janet Paul, she is a 1997 graduate of Parishville Hopkinton Central High School and is taking business courses at SUNY Canton.
  • Corbin Gates-Shult of Parishville is a sworn officer of the Norfolk Police Department. The son of Faye and step father Jeff Lamar and Keith and stepmother Sara Simon-Shult, he is a graduate of Parishville Hopkinton Central High School and a 2009 graduate of SUNY Canton with a bachelor's degree in Law Enforcement Leadership.
  • Kristen Jacobs of Hogansburg is a sworn officer of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department. The daughter of Lisa Jacobs of Hogansburg and Charles Jacobs of Owego, she is a 2003 graduate of Tioga Central High School and a 2007 graduate of SUNY Potsdam with a bachelor's in Criminal Justice and Psychology.
  • David J. LeBeau of Ogdensburg is a sworn officer of the Ogdensburg City Police Department. The son of Mary Ellen Founier of Ogdensburg and David R, LeBeau of Lisbon, he is a 1994 graduate of Ogdensburg Free Academy.
  • Steven Lowell of Oneida is a sworn officer of Canastota Police Department. The son of John and Antoinette Lowell of Oneida, he is a 2005 graduate of Oneida High School and a 2009 graduate of SUNY Canton with a bachelor's in Law Enforcement Leadership.
  • Mark Michaud of Norwood is a sworn officer of the SUNY Canton University Police. The son of Peter and Cynthia Michaud of Norfolk, he is a 1992 graduate of Norwood Norfolk High School and a 1994 graduate of SUNY Canton with an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Julia A. Serviss of Gouverneur is a sworn officer of the St. Lawrence County Sheriffs Office. The daughter of Martin and Catherine Serviss of Gouverneur, she is a 2003 graduate of Gouverneur Central High School and a 2005 graduate of SUNY Canton with an associate degree in Criminal Justice.
  • Decota Thompson of Hogansburg is a sworn officer of the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department. The son of Kim Loran and Charles Thompson of Hogansburg, he is a 1997 graduate from Salmon River Central High School and a 2008 graduate of St. Lawrence University with a bachelor's in Marketing.

Cadets of the David Sullivan St. Lawrence County Law Enforcement Academy complete over 700 hours of training over an 18-week period. During that time they engage in strenuous physical training, life-like scenarios, comprehensive lessons in ethics, and life saving techniques to prepare them for their duties as officers of the law.

SUNY Canton offers a wide variety of career-driven bachelor's, associate, and certificate programs, as well as three master's degrees in conjunction with SUNYIT, Utica. Most of SUNY Canton's new four-year programs are designed so students can take them on-campus, online, or both. SUNY Canton OnLine features more than 100 courses online each semester. The College offers a four-day academic week allowing students greater flexibility for work, family, or other obligations. The College's athletic teams belong to the NAIA's Sunrise Conference, enabling students to compete in their respective sports for four years.

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