ALFRED — Four new York County Jail corrections officers have graduated from the onsite Corrections Academy and received their certifications in ceremonies at the jail on Friday.

As is tradition, their badges were presented by their loved ones — a wife, a father, a mother and a girlfriend.

As well, a number of York County Sheriff’s Office employees — corrections officers and rural patrol officers were recognized for their proactive response to a number of incidents that took place in the last quarter.

The four new corrections officers come from varied backgrounds — but military or law enforcement training has played a role in each of their lives.

Miranda Dudley joined the Maine Army National Guard in high school in Orono where she trained as a military police officer.

Derek Moore, a 2013 graduate of Leavitt Area High School, and a member of the football team that won the state championship that year is also a Maine Army National Guard member.

Ian Baard is originally of Zimbabwe, where he was a police officer. Baard lived in Ireland and then the United Kingdom before marrying a Maine woman and emigrating to the United States in 2015.

John Champlin lettered in football, lacrosse and wrestling at Massabesic High School. He reported for U.S. Army basic training one month after his 2013 high school graduation and just completed his hitch. He trained as a paralegal.

All live in York County.

Corrections Officer Kurt Martin, who has 11 years with the department, addressed the graduates. He spoke of the rewards of the job and of the sacrifices.

“The inmates will challenge you because they have 24 hours a day, seven days a week to think of ways to get under your skin,” Martin said. “But you must maintain your professionalism and stay mentally tough.”

He told the new officers that the demands of the job will mean they’ll sometimes miss holidays, social engagements and family meals.

“Even with the sacrifices, you will gain a great understanding of human nature and you will make a difference in people’s lives, he said.

Recognized for their work were:

• Sgt. Steve Thistlewood, who administered Narcan to three overdose victims in a month’s time;

• Chief Deputy Tom Baran, who graduated from a 10-week FBI National Academy training program;

• Sheriff’s Office deputies and Maine State Police troopers were applauded  for their swift ability to solve an armed robbery at Aroma Joe’s in Waterboro. Recognized were Sgt. Michael Hayes, Det. Corey Sweatt, Maine State Police Detective David Coflesky, Trooper John Darcy and Sgt. John Shapiro.

• Sgts. Dave Chauvette, Michael Hayes and Kyle Kassa, along with Detective Corey Sweatt and deputies Jason Solomon, Stan Moore, Darren Cyr and Travis Belleard  were recognized for their response to a robbery at Infinity Federal Credit Union in Arundel. A cooperative effort between Maine State Police and the Sheriff’s Office saw a suspect apprehended who had just been released from prison in connection with a prior bank robbery. 

• A number of corrections officers were recognized for their work, including Nicole Root, Pauline Mayo, Joy Chase, Charles Okiru, Chance Steffaire, Dalton Groeger, Dimitri Krylov, Jason Drouin, John McKinney and Sonny Lyles. According to King, Lyles noticed something amiss about a piece of incoming mail. After inspecting, he found five Suboxone strips and some white powder concealed in the envelope, the sheriff said. Krylov, Drouin and McKinney were recognized for discovering an individual attempting to smuggle heroin into the jail, while Chase was recognized for quickly calling for medical aid and locking down a unit when an inmate was in medical distress. Chance Steffaire was recognized for discovering an individual attempting to bring contraband into the facility.

• Deputy Bob Carr and Sgt. Steve Thistlewood received recognition memos.

• Corrections Sgt. Jill Brooks, who is retiring, was recognized and thanked for her 19 years of service with the department. Brooks is pursuing  a career as an investigator with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the sheriff said.

Named as corrections officer of the quarter was Theresa Deshaies, while Sgt. David Chauvette was named patrol officer of the quarter.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].