Police Basic Recruit School Graduates

The Prince William County Criminal Justice Academy Basic Law Enforcement 56th Session graduated on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in a ceremony at Grace Life Community Church in Bristow. This class was composed of 17 Prince William County Police officers and two Prince William County Sheriff’s deputies.  

The 19 men and women completed a 24-week course of training in all aspects of police work, including classes in firearms, use-of-force decision making, driver training, legal training, patrol techniques, criminal investigation and crash investigation. Brief biographies of each graduate follow:

• Cherlyn Alvarez is a graduate of Borough of Manhattan Community College in New York, N.Y., with an associate degree in criminal justice. Additionally, she was the Class President of the 56th Session. She speaks Spanish, and she has family in law enforcement. Officer Alvarez is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
• Ryan P. Beam is a graduate of Regent University in Virginia Beach, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in law and national security. He has family in law enforcement. Officer Beam is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
• Patara L. Billingsly is a graduate of Mount Aloysius College in Cresson, Penn., with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Officer Billingsly is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
• Darious K. Carter attends Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, Va., studying criminal justice. Officer Carter is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• Eric M. Cerami is a graduate of Bellmont High School in Decatur, Ind. He served in the U.S. Army, attaining the rank of specialist, prior to joining the Department. Officer Cerami is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• Carla C. Coleman attends Northern Virginia Community College in Woodbridge, Va., studying criminal justice. She serves in the Army National Guard, holding the rank of corporal. Officer Coleman is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
• Emily M. De la Cruz is a graduate of C.D. Hylton High School in Woodbridge, Va. She speaks Spanish. Officer De la Cruz is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• William P. Gaines is a graduate of Longwood University in Farmville, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He served in the Army National Guard, holding the rank of first lieutenant. Officer Gaines is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• Conner R. Gladden is a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School in Bridgeville, Penn. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps, attaining the rank of corporal, prior to joining the Department. Officer Gladden is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
• Missy L. Hand is a graduate of George Mason University in Fairfax, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in biology. She served as a deputy in the Loudoun County (Va.) Sheriff’s Office prior to joining the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office. She is fluent in American Sign Language. Deputy Hand is assigned to the Sheriff’s Office.
• Ethan J. Highfill attends Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, Va., studying criminal justice. He speaks Spanish. Officer Highfill is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• Alexander J. Missar is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, Va., with an associate degree in computer science. Officer Missar is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
• Nicholas J. Newsham is a graduate of the State University of New York in Buffalo with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. He has family in law enforcement. Deputy Newsham is assigned to the Prince William County Sheriff’s Office.
• Laurabell Obana is a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University in Honolulu with a master’s degree in diplomacy ad military studies. She worked in foreign affairs prior to joining the Department. She is fluent in Hebrew and speaks basic Arabic and basic Armenian. Officer Obana is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
• Trevor D. Parin is a graduate of Tidewater Community College in Portsmouth, Va., with an associate degree in criminal justice with a specialization in homeland security. Additionally, he was the Class Vice President of the 56th Session. Officer Parin is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.
• Christopher J. Petrillo, II is a graduate of Battlefield High School in Haymarket, Va. Officer Petrillo is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• Ryan C. Schmidt is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College in Manassas, Va., with an associate degree in business administration. Officer Schmidt is assigned to work patrol in western Prince William County.
• Khristel J. E. Thompson is a graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan University in Rocky Mount with a master’s degree in criminal justice and a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems. She speaks Tagalog. Officer Thompson is assigned to work patrol in central Prince William County.
• Nicholas M. Wowak is a graduate of Penn Foster High School. Additionally, he was the Class Guide of the 56th Session, and has family in law enforcement. Officer Wowak is assigned to work patrol in eastern Prince William County.

As the need for highly skilled and capable law enforcement officers increases, the Department continues to seek qualified applicants for police officer positions. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Prince William County Police Personnel Bureau at (703) 792-6580 or visit the Department’s website at www.joinpwcpd.org. You can also find us on social media.