Kody Barfield awarded Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy scholarship at South Georgia Technical College

Kody Barfield of Warner Robins was awarded the Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship at the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 18 – 02 graduation ceremony held in the John M. Pope Industrial Technology Center on the SGTC Americus campus recently. He also received the Academic Achievement Award for Class 18-02. Lou Crouch of Bryon endowed this scholarship to 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. Barfield was a full-time student at the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and is also a fourth year student at Mercer University where he is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice and Christianity. He knew even as a child that he was destined to become a police officer. “Most of my family serves in Law Enforcement and they have each had an impact on where I stand today,” said Barfield. “Two of the most influential people in my life are my father and grandfather who are both veteran officers. They taught me to have a strong work ethic at an early age and it has begun to pay off. I can remember many nights where my father would get off from one job and immediately change into his uniform to work the rest of the night. My grandfather devoted more than 40 years to Law Enforcement and has now retired to work as a part-time deputy.” Barfield thanked South Georgia Technical College for the scholarship. “Unlike many of my peers, I am paying for the Academy and all expenses myself. For most of my college career I have had three jobs and attended college full-time. Despite the odds, I have been able to maintain a 3.0 GPA and save enough money to attend the Law Enforcement Academy. After graduating from the South Georgia Tech Law Enforcement Academy, I plan to finish my Bachelor’s Degree at Mercer and then work full-time for the Houston County Sheriff’s Office. This scholarship will help me further my education and obtain some of the tools I need to perform my duties as an officer,” said Barfield. “On behalf of the South Georgia Technical College Foundation and South Georgia Technical College, we would like to thank Lou Crouch for his support of the Smallwood-Sondron families, South Georgia Technical College and our Law Enforcement Academy through the endowment of the Smallwood-Sondron Scholarship,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford. “This scholarship as well as his two previous endowed scholarships are a tremendous help to those young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia. “Partnerships like this one and others are crucial to our success,” explained President Dr. Watford. “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 making a donation 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 Brett Murray at bmurray@southgatech.edu.