Fresno Police Honor FCC Police Academy Cadets

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- One after the other, Fresno Police Motorcycle Officers rode in and lined up single file. Just a few feet away, Fresno City College Police Academy Class #120, stood at attention. They had no idea the Fresno Police Traffic Unit was here to honor them.

"When you become a police officer you become part of something bigger -- you become a community and we're a family," Police Captain Andy Hall told the Cadets.

Still months away from graduation, the cadets became part of the law enforcement family this past week.

They were in charge of directing traffic and helping park over 700 patrol cars from officers from all over the state attending the funerals of Fresno Sheriff's Deputy Joel Wahlenmaier and Reedley Police Officer Javier Bejar.

"You saw where these officers came from and how far away they came from; we are connected no matter what department you work for -- and no matter where these cadets end up, we are brothers and sisters,"said Sgt. Richard Tucker.

One by one, all 52 officers shook hands and thanked the cadets for their help and support. And after posing for photographs, the Fresno Police Officers Association prepared and served the cadets a tri-tip meal.

"It just goes to show how professional the Fresno Police Department is. What an amazing surprise, we had no idea," said Cadet Blake Brown. The US Army veteran says the deaths of Officer Bejar and Deputy Walhenmaier really drove home the risks of a career in law enforcement, but says this is his calling.

"Being part of the military I'm already in that mind-set, protecting people. I was protecting our country overseas and I'm just ready to protect my community now."

For Cadet Juan Cruz, Wednesday's show of appreciation by Fresno PD also reinforced his decision to protect and serve. "You always have someone supporting you  regardless -- and it really brought it home for a lot of the cadets as well as myself, why we chose this profession and this career."

Both Deputy Walhenmaier and Officer Bejar attended FCC's Police Academy; Wahlenmaier graduated in 1997, Bejar in 2005.

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