by Suzzanne Siegel

Twenty-four student in the Basic Entry Level Law Enforcement program (BELLE) class, at the New River Criminal Justice Training Academy, received their degrees on June 16th, at their facility in Dublin, VA. 

Established in 1975, the NRCJTA is one of eleven regional academies in the Commonwealth of Virginia providing a wide variety of criminal justice programs for local law enforcement officers, jail officers and communications personnel. For 44 years, the primary objective of the Academy is to assist the professional growth and development of Law Enforcement, Jail and Dispatcher personnel employed by local jurisdictions in its service area.  

Special congratulations to Noah A. Hairfield, of Floyd, who graduated with the second highest shooting score in his class, missing first place by only one-tenth of a point. 

Hairfield was also the recipient of a special $3,000 scholarship, awarded to him by “Heart Behind the Badge,” a new non-profit organization in Christiansburg, comprised entirely of women who have lost loved ones in the line of duty. The money is intended to help students with tuition, as they are not allowed to work at other jobs while attending the Academy. 

According to Hairfield’s parents, he worked tremendously hard, saving as much money as possible so he could attend his classes and still “live” for the six month duration. 

Hairfield has since been hired, full time, by the Carillion Hospital Police Department.