McKinstry Moments: Our Trooper

Our extended family has quite a few graduates this year to celebrate. One of those graduates in particular I want to honor and celebrate in today's post - my future brother-in-law.

Though most graduates are walking across the stage this June, Brandon finished his program at the Police Academy this past December right before Christmas. I have been itching to write a post about him and his accomplishments, but the holidays hit, then the loss of my dad, and after that just one thing after another to blog about. I hadn't forgotten about this guy though. We are so proud of how hard he worked to get where is as a Virginia State Trooper.

Brandon definitely has a passion for the career field he's chosen and was anxious to get into the Police Academy to begin his training. There were so many other young men and women signed up that originally he thought he would have to wait until the next term to begin his training, but they put him on a wait list just in case. They told Brandon that they may call him at the last minute and to be ready if they did, so the days leading up were filled with a little uneasiness as we all waited (probably especially for my sister knowing she'd have to go a week without seeing him as he completed his initial training session). To his excitement and ours, they did call the morning of and off like a flash he went headed for Richmond in his Caprice.

After two weeks of training down there, they sent him home to do the second phase of his course work in our area - some on the job learning while riding along with a seasoned Trooper. This opportunity also offered a trial basis for the guys to make sure they really wanted to do this type of work before they completed the more intense program to come.

At the end of his shadowing, Brandon definitely wanted to stick with the course he'd chosen and back to the Police Academy he headed for a few more months. During the week he went through intense physical and academic training, but the academy was closed on the weekends so he got to come home to us, which definitely made my sister happy but the rest of us as well. You could tell that he was wore out from all those long days, but he stuck it out and did well.

After all that work, the members of 120th Basic Session was ready to graduate including our favorite trooper. Though there was no way my family could have gone because of the kids, I really wanted to head to Richmond to be there for the ceremony as they celebrated not only the ending of his training but also the beginning of his career. However, there were quite a few others who did make it to show their support and pride for him.

Brandon with his Nanaw (Grandma) - A strong lady who's been there with him from the beginning and helped shape who he's become.

Hands off ladies; this one's taken.

Courtney and Nanaw pinning on his badge.

Brandon loves cars but especially old police cars now. They could't pass up this photo opt.

Courtney was so happy for him to complete his program (and that he'd be coming home for good).

I'm not sure my mom could have been more proud of him either. He's already like a son to her. She made sure to be a part of this special day.

His dad was able to be there to support him as well.

Standing with his former roommate Sean (his future best man)

My grandparents couldn't be left out either. They headed to Richmond with the rest of the crew. Brandon sure is marrying into a family that already loves him and thinks the world of him.

Can't you tell?

Another one with Nanaw

When Brandon was little, he met this captain while in Sheriff's camp. How cool is it that he was there to shake Brandon's hand at the Trooper graduation?

As part of the graduation, the troopers are given their patrol cars to drive home in. My grandma talked about how impressive it was to see all those vehicles lined up behind each other, especially as they blared their sirens as they pulled away.