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SBSO CAPT. RYAN MELERINE GRADUATES FROM FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY

Capt. Ryan Melerine of the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office was among an elite group of law enforcement officials who graduated on March 13 from the 293rd session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, Sheriff James Pohlmann said.

Internationally recognized for its rigorous academic and physical training, the FBI’s 10-week academy provides advanced leadership, communication, and fitness instruction. Participants, selected based on their exemplary professional records, typically have extensive law enforcement experience and often serve in executive roles upon returning to their agencies.

Sheriff Pohlmann, a graduate of the FBI Academy’s 181st session, said completing the program is a tremendous honor that reflects an officer’s dedication to professional growth and leadership.

“Capt. Melerine has worked hard throughout his career, and I have no doubt he will use this experience to continue making a positive impact on our department and our community,” the Sheriff said. “Having highly trained and experienced leaders within our ranks is crucial to our department’s continued success.”

Capt. Melerine, who attended the program from Jan. 5 to March 13, trained alongside officers from 48 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries and 11 military organizations, as well as four federal civilian agencies.

The FBI Academy’s academic block of instruction is taught by University of Virginia instructors and FBI agents. During classroom instruction, Capt. Melerine said he was trained in critical incident leadership, crisis negotiations, officer wellness, vitality and resilience, essentials for law enforcement leaders and contemporary issues in law enforcement.

He also participated in and successfully completed physical aspects of the program that included weekly challenges, as well as a grueling component called the “Yellow Brick Road,” a 6.1-mile Marine-designed obstacle course, which graduates complete to earn a commemorative yellow brick.

In addition, Capt. Melerine took part in a student-led activity for which he received the weightlifting brick for lifting his body weight in three lifts: flat bench press, deadlift, barbell squats and standing overhead bar press, which had to be completed in 1.5 hours round-robin style in one day.

A lifelong resident of St. Bernard Parish, Capt. Melerine has dedicated more than 18 years to the Sheriff’s Office.

Since joining in 2006, he has served in various roles, including as a 9-1-1 dispatcher, a patrol deputy and field training officer, and as a detective in the Criminal Investigations Bureau where he has worked since 2013.

“Serving my community has been more than just a career – it’s a calling that’s shaped who I am, both personally and professionally, for most of my adult life,” Capt. Melerine said.

In addition to being named SBSO’s 2013 Deputy of the Year for his dedication and commitment to serving, he also became one of only 3,100 certified bomb technicians in the United States after completing the FBI’s Hazardous Devices School in 2016. He currently serves as one of only four bomb techs for the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics S.W.A.T. team.

Col. Chad Clark, commander of the Criminal Investigations Bureau and Capt. Melerine’s supervisor, said he is proud of his accomplishments.

“This prestigious program challenges law enforcement professionals to grow as leaders, and Ryan’s dedication, hard work and commitment to service have made him an asset to our agency,” Col. Clark said.

That commitment to service also extends beyond law enforcement, as Capt. Melerine actively volunteers at numerous local events and supports charitable initiatives to give back to the community he loves. His dedication to public service also runs in his family – his brother, Capt. Clinton Melerine, serves as a St. Bernard Parish firefighter, continuing their shared mission of protecting and serving their hometown.

“Growing up in Delacroix with a family of commercial fishermen instilled in me a deep appreciation for St. Bernard’s natural beauty, resilience, and culture,” he said. “St. Bernard isn’t just where I work – it’s home. The people here are like family, and I’m truly grateful to be part of this community.”

Capt. Melerine also expressed gratitude to the Sheriff for giving him the opportunity.

“Attending the FBI National Academy was an incredible experience,” he said. “I will forever be grateful to the Sheriff for allowing me to train alongside some of the best law enforcement officers in the world. This experience has given me valuable insight and skills that I look forward to bringing back to better serve the people of St. Bernard with dedication, honor, and integrity.”

In addition to Sheriff Pohlmann and Capt. Melerine, other members of SBSO, both active and retired, who are FBI graduates include: Deputy Chief John Doran, Deputy Chief John Vickers, Col. Chad Clark, Col. Adolph Kreger, Col. Walter Dornan, Col. Daniel Bostic, Capt. Stephen Ingargiola, Capt. Michael Ingargiola, Capt. Adrian Chalona, Lt. Fauddy “Ray” Whitfield, Lt. Brent Bourgeois, Lt. Jorge Vargas, Lt. Chris Scheeler, former Chief of Detectives Steve Lundon (retired), Maj. Mark Jackson (retired), Maj. James Bartholomae (retired), Maj. Mark Poche (retired), Maj. Ronald Martin (retired), Maj. Robert McNab (retired), Capt. Richard Bersuder (retired), Capt. CJ Arcement (retired), Capt. Richard Jackson (retired), Lt. Raymond Theriot (retired), Lt. Jeff Lee (retired), Lt. Gerald “Glenn” Holland (retired), and Narcotics Agent Will Aldridge (retired).

A total of 55,941 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935.
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