Joining the Force: Law Enforcement Academy graduates 23 new cadets

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- It was a special night for more than 20 cadets who saw months of intense training and determination through the Law Enforcement Academy finally culminate in graduation.

Missouri Western State University played host to the latest Law Enforcement Academy graduation ceremony Friday night, an occasion that saw countless friends, family and fellow officers cheer the start of what many hope will be the start of a long and successful career.

This year's class brings a strong mix of both men and women of different ages and backgrounds who will now join the force in their respective departments, including the St. Joseph Police Department, Buchanan County Sheriff's Office and Nodaway County Sheriff's, among others.

Seven of the 23 were officially sworn in to the St. Joseph Police Department on Friday, including 21-year-old graduate Jaxon Ball of St. Joseph.

Ball called Friday's graduation a moment he's been eagerly awaiting for years. The Law Enforcement academy begins in January and runs through June.

"I've been wanting to be a cop since I was a fifth grade little kid. So I'm getting done with all my classmates . Making it to here was a pretty big life acknowledgment, I'm pretty excited," Ball said with a smile.

Ball said he's seen tremendous growth in himself over the course of the six-month academy, both physically and personally.

"First goal is just to get on the street, be the best I can be there ... eventually I'd like to be on the SRT (Special Response Team) and then I'll see what the job takes me from there," Ball said.

Fellow cadet and St. Joseph native Matthew Weathermon called it a surreal moment to graduate from the academy, crediting his instructors, cadets and directors for helping him find his calling in life. 

"I have definitely found myself more in the past six months than I have the past 26 years of my life. The fact that I'm here, it's almost indescribable," he said.

Like Ball, Weathermon is focused on developing on the front lines on patrol. He hopes to one day become a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and help get narcotics off the street.

"I knew it was a tight knit community, but seeing how much everyone cares about each other, it's amazing. Just with my fellow cadets, the relationships we've grown over the past six months, it's something that I will never forget," he said.