Waukegan, IL - On Friday, October 13, six Lake County Sheriff's Correctional Officers graduated from the University of Illinois' Police Training Institute Basic Corrections Training Academy. Graduates included Officers Jason Hicks, Andrew Montemayor, Robert Chrzestek, Carlandrix "C" Alexander, Robert Israel and Keith Soderstrom.

Corrections Officers Keith Soderstrom, and Robert Israel received awards for being in the top 10% of the class and Officer Israel received an additional honor for placing first in class academics.

Corrections Officer Jason Hicks had a special guest in attendance - his mother-in-law Evelyn Hampton, who proudly served as a Corrections Officer at the Lake County Jail for 25 years.

Officers attended training at the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office from September 11 to October 13, 2017.

The 200-hour academy provided instruction in Illinois state statutes pertaining to corrections, Illinois Department of Corrections standards, defensive tactics, firearms training and first aid, to name a few.

The corrections officers were hired in the 1st and 2nd quarters of 2017 and successfully completed a 4-week internal Field Training Program.

Chief David Wathen stated, "I am proud of this graduating class and the accolades they received from their instructors and peers. I look forward to their successes at the Lake County Sheriff's Office."

Photo L2R; Corrections Officers Jason Hicks, Andrew Montemayor, Robert Chrzestek, C. Alexander, Robert Israel and Keith Soderstrom.