Graduation from the Corrections Academy May 2025

• Date and Time of Incident:        May 21, 2025

• Type of Incident:                         Graduation from the Corrections Academy            

• Location of Incident:      Genesee County Sheriff’s Office

• Agencies Involved:          Berrien County Sheriff’s Office Jail Division

Narrative:

Sheriff Heit is proud to announce that Deputy Anthony Lardizabal and Deputy Hosanna Thiele graduated from the local corrections officer training academy held at the Genesee County Sheriff’s Office.

This is a 160 hour academy offering a comprehensive, interactive instruction program in various disciplines for local correction officers.  Training topics include custody and security, defensive tactics, CPR, AED, and first aid training, suicide awareness, fire safety, and interpersonal communication.  The academy is certified by the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council and is an important element of providing the necessary skills for maintaining a safe, secure environment for corrections officers, inmates, and county residents.

Deputy Lardizabal received the Top Overall Performance Award at the graduation ceremony, while Deputy Hosanna Thiele was first runner-up to the Top Academic Award, missing top honors by one test question.

Sheriff Heit would like to thank the two deputies for their hard work at the academy and for their dedication to our community’s safety.  

Sheriff Heit would also like to acknowledge and thank Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson and his staff, along with the Michigan Sheriff’s Association and the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council for all of their continued hard work in putting on the corrections academy.

(L to R) Deputy Anthony Lardizabal and Deputy Hosanna Thiele