AAST sponsors trooper dinner at FBI National Academy

AAST representatives Jeff Lane, far left, and Jim Clare,
far right, attended the AAST-sponsored dinner for state troopers
who attended the FBI National Academy Session 236.

Twenty-two state troopers representing 19 states were part of the prestigious FBI National Academy Session 235 which graduated December 12, with 15 troopers attending the subsequent session.

Internationally known for its academic excellence, the FBI National Academy, in existence since 1935, is a professional course of study for U.S. and international law enforcement leaders that serves to improve the administration of justice in police departments and to raise law enforcement standards, knowledge, and cooperation worldwide. The Academy, which has graduated over 40,000 members, hosts four sessions each year with an average class size of 250 students.

Twenty-two troopers were part of the
FBI National Academy Session 235.

Included in the class were members of law enforcement agencies from local, county and state agencies, the District of Columbia, 26 countries, four military organizations, and four federal organizations. Several AAST members were part of the class and distributed AAST information and spoke to the other members about the benefits of AAST membership.

The academy was not all about studies, however, with one trooper suffering a near fatality. Special Agent in Charge Kirk Nielsen, 46, of the Iowa DPS suffered a heart attack on November 19, at the end of a 5.2 mile run during the 8th week of the 11-week course. When Nielsen collapsed at the finish line, fellow officers raced to a nearby building to retrieve an automated external defibrillator.

Fast action and AED save a life

Nielsen’s heart had stopped for three minutes before the AED revived him. Thanks to the quick actions of his classmates on the scene, several of whom were troopers, Nielsen was recovering at home at press time, following quadruple bypass surgery. Because last year’s stress test showed that this in-shape avid runner’s heart was in excellent shape, Nielsen’s heart attack came as quite a surprise. And he is thankful to the men and women who saved his life.

“We law enforcement officers take care of the public, but when another peace officer saves your life, it’s humbling,” Nielsen said. “A simple ‘thank you’ doesn’t seem to be enough.”

Although he missed the official graduation ceremony, Nielsen’s classmates surprised him with a private ceremony after his release from the hospital. Within six weeks of his bypass surgery, he was running again, appreciating his new lease on life.

Each class leaves a gift at the academy, with Session 235 leaving an all-weather AED container near the track where Nielsen suffered the heart attack, with an engraved plaque honoring Nielsen.

AAST was proud to be part of the subsequent Academy class, Session 236, by hosting a dinner for the state troopers in attendance. On February 17 AAST national Secretary Jeff Lane and Virginia State Director Jim Clare met with troopers from Session 236 during dinner at the historic Globe and Laurel restaurant in Quantico, Va., where they shared AAST membership information.

Session 236 included 15 students from state police and highway patrol agencies including California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, and West Virginia.

AAST fervently supports education programs related to law enforcement, having sponsored events related to the national CARE conference, the SPI Alumni Association, and other national events. AAST looks forward to hosting the National Law Enforcement Training Conference & Expo in August.

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