Former LCHS Wildcat standout graduates from Police Academy

Lynn Camp sports fans are sure to remember the name Austyn Weddle. As a multi-sport athlete, he helped several varsity-level Wildcat athletic programs remain competitive on the court and field during his years at LCHS.

As a senior during the 2015-16 school year, Weddle led the Wildcats football team in receiving with over 400 yards on the season, including six touchdowns. He was also the basketball team’s leading scorer that season, averaging 13 points per game and contributing to an overall winning record of 17-10. He also was a member of the school’s baseball team that spring.

Weddle is still doing big things nearly ten years after last suiting up at Lynn Camp, now wearing the uniform of a Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy. Last week, the Sheriff’s Office sent out a press release congratulating three deputies, including Weddle, for graduating from the Department of Criminal Justice Training’s Police Academy.

The press release stated, “Laurel County Sheriff John Root proudly announces the graduation of three deputies from the Department of Criminal Justice Training- Police Academy class #539 on Thursday, June 15, 2023. The graduation was held at First Baptist Church, Richmond.”

The release said of Weddle, “Deputy Austyn Weddle has prior experience with the Williamsburg Police Department and the Laurel County Sheriff’s office as a court security officer. He is a graduate of Lynn Camp High School and attended the University of Kentucky. His mother is Jennifer Weddle of Knox County and father is Ashlee Cowan from Laurel County, currently residing in Fayette County. Austin enjoys spending summer weekends at the dirt track with his Papa. In addition, he enjoys being around family and friends and creating memories and traveling. He collects shoes.”

Congratulations to Austyn Weddle on his recent accomplishment.

About the Dept. of Criminal Justice Training program: The DOCJT provides entry-level and advanced individual training for approximately 9000 law enforcement personnel annually. The 20-week, 800-hour law enforcement basic training course is mandatory for all Kentucky law enforcement officers who are required to comply with police officers professional standards act of 1998.

DOCJT provides basic training for city and county police officers, sheriff’s deputies, university police, and airport police throughout the state. The graduating officers represent the successful completion of a highly structured, comprehensive curriculum. Major training areas include: patrol procedures, physical training, vehicle operations, defensive tactics, criminal law, traffic and DUI, firearms, criminal investigations, cultural awareness, bias related crimes, and tactical responses to crisis situations.

As a result of completion of the program, each officer is better prepared to meet the ever-increasing demands placed on today’s law enforcement officers.