At a ceremony in Helena on Friday morning, the Montana Law Enforcement Academy graduated 49 new officers from 33 different city, county, and state law enforcement agencies around Montana.

Several were from western Montana, but one Missoula County Sheriff's deputy won three distinctive awards.

Attorney General's Office spokesman John Barnes said Deputy T.J. Manraksa set himself apart from the rest of the graduating class.

"Deputy Manraksa received the award that goes to the student with the highest level of proficiency in the vehicle operation course," Barnes said. "He was also given the award given to the student who achieved the highest cumulative score on all the academic and skills-based training. The deputy also received the award for the highest level of academic standing."

Others who graduated from the academy from western Montana included Paul Deavers from the sheriff's department, Bryce Bare and Luke Stenslie from the Missoula Police Department and Craig Robertson from the Stevensville Police Department.

The Montana Law Enforcement Academy is the premier law enforcement and public safety educational and training institution for state, county, city and tribal officers throughout the state.

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