April 11, 2025
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Forty-eight cadets of the Northwest Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy Class 2025-A graduate as law enforcement officers today during a ceremony held at the Cross Church in Fayetteville.
Over the course of the 13-week program, they completed approximately 649 hours of instruction and practical training, covering topics such as criminal law, traffic control, accident investigation, firearms training, and defensive tactics.
Chief Steve Gahagans of the University of Arkansas Police Department served as the keynote speaker offering congratulations and encouragement through his own career and experiences.
Special recognition and awards were presented to the cadets who attained the highest scores within the respective training categories listed as follows:
Academics:
1. Magen Roberts, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
2. Reyna Chambers, Springdale P.D.
3. Kurt Lentine, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Physical Fitness:
1. Jonathan Castaneda, Rogers P.D.
2. Ayden Barbour, Fayetteville P.D.
3. Kurt Lentine, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Firearms:
1. Cory Wood, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
2. Blake Longshore, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
3. Kyler Cotton, Rogers P.D.
Servant Leadership Award:
Jaylan Thomas, Rogers P.D.
The graduates and their agencies are listed as follows:
Nick Herring, Bentonville P.D. – Class Leader
Morgan Sutton, Fayetteville P.D. – Assistant Class Leader
Aubrey Minshew, Benton Co. – Squad A Leader
Michelle Sanchez, Springdale P.D.
Leslie Wolfe, Rogers P.D.
Sarah Hoftender, Fayetteville P.D.
Vanessa Motes, Rogers P.D.
Hannah Kirby, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Reyna Chambers, Springdale P.D.
Austin Reyes, Springdale P.D.
Diego Sanchez, Rogers P.D.
Gretchen Morgan, Fayetteville P.D.
Fernando Machado, Rogers P.D.
Tina Mullen, Benton Co.
Kurt Lentine, Univ. of Arkansas P.D. – Squad B Leader
Roxxana Andrade, Springdale P.D.
Magen Roberts, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Erik Carbajal, Springdale P.D.
Jesse Moore, Benton Co.
Korben Boothman, Washington Co.
Dustin Le, Prairie Grove P.D.
Kyler Cotton, Rogers P.D.
Hayden Singleton, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Jacob Todd, Rogers P.D.
Jorge Vazquez-Islas, Fayetteville P.D.
Blake Arnold, Washington Co. – Squad C Leader
Rigoberto Gutierrez, Fayetteville P.D.
Alfredo Arenas, Springdale P.D.
Easton Lewis, Bentonville P.D.
Joshua Breeden, Rogers P.D.
Alexander Baker, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Jonathan Trujillo-Fuentes, Benton Co.
Kivet Conner, Lowell P.D.
Joseph Tartaglia, Springdale P.D.
Nathaniel Lee, Siloam Springs P.D.
Jontezz Washington, Springdale P.D.
Payton Fitch, Bentonville P.D.
Ayden Barbour, Fayetteville P.D. – Squad D Leader
Erick Reyes, Springdale P.D.
Monteith Colclough, Fayetteville P.D.
Romaunce McDowell, Washington Co.
Jaylan Thomas, Rogers P.D.
Blake Longshore, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Cory Wood, Univ. of Arkansas P.D.
Garret Prowell, Rogers P.D.
Christian Marquez, Rogers P.D.
Justin Noblin, Gentry P.D.