GPD's Hopkins completes FBI training

Monday, June 22, 2009
Assistant Chief of the Greencastle Police Department Brian Hopkins, center, earned the Yellow Brick Road award while at FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. Hopkins recently graduated from the 10-week academy. Congratulating him are State Representative Nancy Michael and Chief Tom Sutherlin.

Assistant Chief Brian Hopkins of the Greencastle Police Department recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. It is an accomplishment only two other Putnam County residents have completed.

Twenty-eight years ago, former Sheriff Richard Lyons graduated from the academy, followed by Detective Mike Biggs with the Putnam County Sheriff's Dept. in 1994. It is an honor for Hopkins to be among them as a graduate of the FBI academy.

The 14-year veteran will apply what he learned in the 10-week course to investigating local crime. Advanced computer forensics, advanced criminal investigation and terrorism were just a few of the things officers learned.

Hopkins' career began in Cloverdale until he joined the police department 11 years ago.

"I always wanted to be a police officer," he said. "I got out of the military and decided to pursue it."

Hopkins was one in 250 chosen officers in the world and one in four from the state to attend the FBI academy. While there, he received the Yellow Brick Road award for completing the 6.5-mile run with 25 obstacles.

"The obstacles included a rope climb, wall climb or even push ups," he said. "It was very difficult."

To congratulate Hopkins, the police department and Chief Tom Sutherlin hosted an open house Monday. State Representative Nancy Michael was in attendance to commend Hopkins for his accomplishment.

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  • Felicitations!

    -- Posted by Monandez on Mon, Jun 22, 2009, at 7:14 PM
  • I am proud of you Brian. I know you had a lot of support from family and friends who know you. I am glad that you were acknowledged for your accomplishments. U DONE GOOD BRI!

    -- Posted by B4this on Tue, Jun 23, 2009, at 7:42 AM
  • I am sure they have more than one somewhat trained police officer. If you've had a bad experience let it go, they have a good team I'm sure. I have heard they are the best agency in the county for professionalism. and I'm not talking smack against other agencies only repeating what I heard from higher ups.

    -- Posted by Reader2 on Tue, Jun 23, 2009, at 3:20 PM
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