OCSO sergeant graduates from FBI academy

Sergeant Elisha Williams of the Oneida County sheriff’s office graduated from the FBI National Academy on Thursday, Sept, 14, joining 197 other law enforcement professionals in completing Session #287 of the prestigious training program. Williams also joins several other Oneida County officers in successfully completing the grueling training.

According to a press release announcing her graduation, less than 1 percent of all law enforcement officers have successfully completed the intensive 10-week course which is offered at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy provides “advanced communications, leadership, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies,” the release states. “On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.”

In addition to completing courses in the psychology of leadership, emotional intelligence, managing the law enforcement image, managing organizational change, and advanced public speaking, Sgt. Williams also finished the physically challenging “Yellow Brick Road”, which concludes with a Marine Corps obstacle course and a 6.1 mile run, the release notes.

Chief Deputy Daniel Hess, himself a graduate of the FBI Academy, congratulated Williams on her accomplishment.

 “We are blessed to have such a qualified candidate go through this rigorous leadership training,” he said. “We wish Sgt. Williams the best in her continued law enforcement career.”

A total of 54,565 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy since it was introduced in July 1935.

 Sgt. Williams joins a number of other current and former Oneida County officers in completing the program. 

According to the release, three former Oneida County detective sergeants, the late Raymond Zastrow, James Purdy and Glenn Schaepe, graduated from the program as did retired Chief Deputy John Sweeney and Hess.

Sgt. Williams has been with the Oneida County sheriff’s office for seven years and currently serves as a patrol sergeant and is the School Resource Sergeant for the School District of Rhinelander.