In front, from left, are Cadet Miller, Cadet Marks, Cadet Cox, Cadet Sellers, Pierceton Police Department Officer Ashley Jones, Cadet Leppek and Cadet Lybarger.
In the back row, from left, are Cadet Bake, Deputy Rick Shepherd, Sergeant Michael Mulligan, KCPO Investigator First Sergeant Chris McKeand and PPD Officer Ryan Piper. Photo provided.

Press Release

PIERCETON — The Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office F.A.C.T. (Fatal Alcohol Crash Team) members were guest instructors for the September Pierceton Police Cadet program.

Cadets learned that the purpose of the team is to investigate all vehicular traffic crashes inside the limits of Kosciusko County involving a fatal and/or serious injury where alcohol and/or drugs are thought to be involved. The team demonstrated how the latest technology is utilized during crash scene reconstruction.

The Pierceton Police Cadet program is co-ed. The students represent Warsaw, Tippecanoe Valley, Whitko, North Manchester and Wawasee High Schools. Each Cadet applies to the program and is approved by their principal and the Pierceton Police Review Board. The student must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The student must have no unexcused absences per semester and remain in “good standing” during the school year. Pierceton Police Officer Ryan Piper is the male cadet advisor and Pierceton Police Officer Ashley Jones is the female cadet advisor.

Each month, different police and first responder related topics are presented at the Pierceton Police Department’s classroom. The topics are taught by police professionals who represent the Warsaw Police Department, KCSO, Indiana State Police, FBI, ATF and local police agencies.

Students interested in becoming a Pierceton Police Cadet can request the seven-page application from their building principal or contact Pierceton Police Chief Tim Sammons at [email protected] or (574) 594-2232.