New law enforcement officers graduate from BCSO Academy Class 032
April 2, 2026
Maryville, Tennessee – Blount County Sheriff James Lee Berrong announced 31 recruits graduated from the Sheriff’s Office 32nd Regional Law Enforcement Academy today. The graduates represent 19 law enforcement agencies from Tennessee.
The 12-week course began January 12. The 31 graduates completed more than 544.30 hours of intense law enforcement training, including criminal law, community relations, patrol tactics, defensive tactics, emergency vehicle operations, firearms, as well as other law enforcement-related topics. Recruits are also required to meet Cooper Institute standards for physical fitness in several categories, including sit-ups, push-ups, one and a half mile run, 300 meter run, and an obstacle course. The training took place at the Sheriff’s Office training facility. The graduates employed by the Blount County Sheriff’s Office will also go through 12 weeks of field training.
The 31 graduates of Class 032 represent 19 law enforcement agencies from across Tennessee, as follows:
Matthew Johnson Alcoa Police Department
Matison Newport Alcoa Police Department
Payton Sudduth Alcoa Police Department
Colton Callaway Blount County Sheriff’s Office
Ryan Crowe Blount County Sheriff’s Office
Josiah Miller Blount County Sheriff’s Office
Joshua Morris Blount County Sheriff’s Office
Christian Higgins Cleveland Police Department
Colten Johns Crossville Police Department
T.J. Goodman Tennessee Department of Revenue
Clinton Zglinoki Fairfield Glade Police Department
Nanci Mora Gallatin Police Department
Christian Petty Gallatin Police Department
Amanda Ross-Gregory Gallatin Police Department
Joshua Adams Gatlinburg Police Department
Harley Biggers Goodlettsville Police Department
Justin Gazzaway Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Michael LeBlanc Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office
Lawson Reed La Vergne Police Department
Paul Eubanks Lenoir City Police Department
Jared Garren Loudon City Police Department
John Range Loudon City Police Department
Jonathan Collier Maryville Police Department
Mason Johnson Maryville Police Department
Troy Kaiser Nashville Metro Dept. of Public Safety
Caleb Porterfield Nolensville Police Department
Joshua Holtgrieve McGhee Tyson Airport Authority Police
Nawres Aljajo University of Tennessee Police Department– Knoxville
Joshua Carroll Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
Jackson Hoosier Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
Bryan Howell Williamson County Sheriff’s Office
In addition, six recruits were honored with special awards:
Firearms Proficiency Award: Jackson Hoosier, Williamson County S.O.
Top Driver Award: Joshua Adams, Gatlinburg P.D.
Physical Fitness Award: Ryan Crowe, Blount County Sheriff’s Office
Deputy Greg McCowan Valedictorian
Award: Amanda Ross Gregory, Gallatin P.D.
William D. Nuchols Outstanding Joshua Holtgrieve, TYS Airport Authority Police
Officer Award
Don E. Boring Law Enforcement Award Bryan Howell, Williamson County S.O.
Of Excellence
The William D. Nuchols Outstanding Officer Award is given to the recruit who displays overall leadership qualities, as well as overall achievement. The award is named in honor of William D. Nuchols, a Blount County Sheriff’s deputy who was killed in the line of duty in 1956 in a car crash while responding to a call. In May 2009, William Nuchols was added to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C.
The Don E. Boring Law Enforcement Award of Excellence is awarded by the Fraternal Order of Police, Bud Allison Memorial Lodge #9 in Maryville, to the recruit who displays honesty, integrity, perseverance, team spirit, and
the desire to excel. The award is given in honor retired Chief Don E. Boring, who set the standard for law enforcement at the Maryville Police Department, as well as the BCSO. Chief Boring advanced through the ranks as an officer with MPD until assuming the rank of Chief of Police. He retired as Chief in 1989. He then served as Chief Deputy with the BCSO until 1999, retired, and then returned as interim chief deputy from 2002 until 2004. Chief Boring was persistent in the implementation of technological advancement in law enforcement. Sadly, Chief Boring passed away on January 31, 2025 at the age of 92, surrounded by his loving family and friends.
Class valedictorian, Officer Amanda Gregory of the Gallatin Police Department, was also awarded a scholarship from Bethel University.
The Honorable Tim Burchett, representative of Tennessee’s 2nd Congressional District, was in attendance and thanked the new graduates for choosing a career that requires so much sacrifice.
The graduation ceremony was held at East Maryville Baptist Church in Maryville.