Sean Reed of Americus was awarded the Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship at the conclusion of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 25 – 01 training.
Lou Crouch of Elko endowed this scholarship for the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Law Enforcement Academy in memory of Peach County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Patrick Sondron and Daryl Smallwood. The two deputies died in the line of duty in November 2016.
Reed expressed his appreciation to South Georgia Technical College, the Law Enforcement Academy staff and Lou Crouch. “This scholarship will be extremely helpful in allowing me to continue my education,” said Reed. “My plan is to continue my education towards an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice at South Georgia Technical College and this scholarship will help make this possible.
Reed has been hired by the Americus Police Department and will be giving back to this community and doing his part to help keep this area safe. He had been working as a probation and parole officer prior to entering the Law Enforcement Academy and he made that decision in an effort to be in a position to help keep others safe.
“This scholarship will help me realize my dreams while also helping as many people as I can in the Americus area. I want to be the best that I can be for my community and this scholarship and education is helping make this possible.”
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford had words of praise for Lou Crouch and his support of Law Enforcement and South Georgia Technical College. “I am very thankful to Lou Crouch for his support of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and the SGTC Foundation,” said Dr. Watford. “His generosity is allowing students to have the opportunity to continue their educational and career goals. I hope you serve in a manner that honors Lou Crouch and Deputies Smallwood and Sondron.”
South Georgia Technical College Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird congratulated Reed and shared, “this scholarship and others are a tremendous help to the young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia. An investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to students indefinitely. We appreciate what Lou Crouch and others are doing for our students and our state. The students he is helping today with these educational opportunities may be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”
For more information about donating or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.
Individuals interested in attending the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy can contact the office at 229-931-2716 or contact Director Jim Mitchell at jim.mitchell@southgatech.edu. Financial aid is available and students will earn credit toward an associate degree in Criminal Justice.