Two hundred and twenty-four law enforcement officers, including Indiana State Police Lt. Delmer Gross, graduated September 15, 2017 from the FBI National Academy Program at Quantico, Virginia. The 269th Session of the National Academy consisted of men and women from 48 states. Included in the class are members of law enforcement agencies from the District of Columbia, 22 international countries, five military organizations, and six federal civilian organizations. Other officers attending from Indiana included Capt. Matthew A. Feller, Peru PD; Lt. Michael K. Horn, Marian University; and Lt. Michael P. Taylor, Fishers PD.
Appointed to the Indiana State Police in 1989, Delmer began his career at the Sellersburg Post and worked road patrol duties until his promotion to district detective in 1995. In 2004 he was promoted to Sergeant in the Laboratory Division as a polygraph examiner where he worked until his current promotion to Lieutenant as the Area IV Investigative Commander.
Internationally known for its academic excellence, the National Academy Program, held at the FBI Academy, offers ten weeks of advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training for selected officers having proven records as professionals within their agencies. On average, these officers have 21 years of law enforcement experience and usually return to their agencies to serve in executive-level positions.
FBI Associate Deputy Director David Bowdich was the principal speaker at the ceremony.
Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, Special Agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise.
Since 1972, National Academy students have been able to earn undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia due to the accreditation by the university of the many courses offered.
The graduating officers were represented by the class spokesperson, Marco Gonzalez, Lieutenant, New York City Police Department, New York, New York. A total of 50,365 graduates now represent the alumni of the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935.
Lt. Gross is a Switzerland County native. He resides in Scott County with his wife Susan and son Brentin. His oldest son Kevin is an eight year veteran in the US Air Force.