Sheriff's office adds another FBI Academy grad to its ranks

Another Goodhue County Sheriff's Office employee has graduated from the FBI National Academy.

Maj. Lyle Lorenson, who oversees the department's patrol operations, received his diploma in December along with 266 graduates from the United States and 27 other countries.

"It was a good experience," Lorenson said this week. "You really do get a lot out of networking and learning from the other leaders in law enforcement."

Sheriff Dean Albers and Chief Deputy Scott McNurlin are the other two current employees who have graduated from the academy in Quantico, Va.

Lorenson was one of two Minnesota officers to attend the 11-week academy, which focuses on advanced investigative, management and fitness training. Participants take classes accredited through the University of Virginia taught by academy staff, special agents and others.

"It exposes them to people from all over the United States, all over the world," Albers said. "You develop many contacts. Plus you're getting access to some of the best trainers in the world."

Outside the classroom, participants also learn to make healthy choices. The officers participate in a challenge run every week, culminating in a 6.1-mile course set up by Marines.

Those who complete the challenge receive a yellow brick to bring home.

"That's kind of what they're famous for," Lorenson said.

The course came to be known as the "Yellow Brick Road" after the Marines placed yellow bricks at various stages to show runners the way through the wooded trail.

Lorenson said the connections and friendships he made at the academy were invaluable and that he has already made contact with some of his classmates since returning.

Albers said networking with law enforcement officers from around the world is "like a free resource for us."

Lorenson agreed, saying most agencies deal with the similar budgeting, personnel and operational issues.

"If we have something we haven't experienced before we can contact all those resources," Lorenson said. "Somebody out there is going to have done that."

Lorenson started in 1979 with the sheriff's department as a jailer/dispatcher. He became a deputy in 1981 and was the county's first canine handler. Lorenson was eventually promoted to patrol sergeant before becoming an investigator in 1995. He has overseen patrol operations since January 1999.

More than 43,000 people have graduated from the FBI National Academy since 1935. More than 25,000 are still active in law enforcement.

Tags: local news, goodhue county sheriffs office