Hendersonville, Tennessee
Recruits of class 2124 of the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy (TLETA) graduated on Friday, December 19, 2025, at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville. The ceremony featured a keynote address from Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, as well as speakers TLETA Director Ralph Bello, Commissioner Carter Lawrence of the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, and TLETA Class Counselor Korey Cooper. After the recruits received graduation certificates, awards were presented by Bethel University Vice President Dr. Wayne Scott, Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Officer’s Association (TLETOA) Middle Tennessee Vice President Daniel Ray, Anderson County Sheriff Russel Barker, Springfield Police Chief Jason Head, and TLETA Class Counselor Korey Cooper.
Coopertown Police Officer Andrew Schad was elected the class president for TLETA class 2124. Springfield Police Chief Jason Head presented Officer Schad with the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP) Casey-Fowler-Williamson Leadership Award.
Officer Andrew Schad gave a heartfelt and humorous speech during the ceremony as class president. He gave class 2124 words of wisdom and extended a welcome to reach out to him if they ever needed someone to talk to.
Upon graduating the academy, Officer Schad will now undergo a comprehensive field training program, preparing him to serve our beloved Coopertown community. Please do not hesitate to say hello to Officer Schad if you see him out and about.
From the desk of Coopertown Police Chief Tyler Haley:
On 12/19/2025, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Training Academy held a graduation for class 2124. The class graduated with 103 cadets who are now certified officers in the great state of Tennessee. Amongst the graduates was Coopertown Police Officer Andrew Schad. Schad joined our agency and attended a rigorous 12 week course at the academy. While at the academy, Schad served as the class leader and was ultimately elected to serve as class President. Schad overcame many trials and obstacles that were thrown at him, not only did he have to be successful himself, he had to help others to their success. At graduation, he was awarded the Leadership Award by the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police for showing exemplary leadership skills. I’m proud of his hard work ethic, dedication, commitment, and sacrifice he showed while he was at the academy. I’m proud to say we have a department of officers who are just like Schad that work tirelessly to make sure the citizens are safe and who truly protect and serve. I’m honored to work with a group of officers who are dedicated, committed, and who answered the call to serve as a law enforcement officer. Congratulations Officer Schad on your accomplishments in the academy and thank you for leading with a servant’s heart and mindset. Job well done.
Tyler Haley, Chief of Police
Coopertown Police Dept.
To view the ceremony in its entirety, visit: https://boxcast.tv/view/tleta-graduation—winter—2025-hly2kyab4eukdosrwjii
