Herman graduates Bryan Police Academy
Ever since about junior high, being one of the lucky few to wear that badge was all he ever talked about, his mom said. Last month, those dreams all finally came true for one young man from Shiner.
Matthew Herman on Friday, Sept. 23, became one of just 15 fellow class members to complete the rigors of the Bryan Police Department Academy and accept his oath as an official lawman in Texas.
Theirs was just the fifth graduating class from the Bryan academy, which according to Herman, started out with 100 or more candidates.
They were the only ones to remain standing after all the physical conditioning requirements, the psychological profiles and scores of background interviews that are conducted on each of the officers seeking to join their department.
They now begin their field training program, which will pair them with a Field Training Officer for on-the-job training, which should last about five months before any will be released on their own to serve the community.
“I wish I could list the number of people who helped him get here, because there were so many of our local friends, neighbors, family, teachers, coaches and law enforcement officers,” said Michelle Herman, Matthew’s mom. “We know who you are and just know we love and thank you all for everything you did to help him reach his goal.”
Folks like Shiner Police Sgt. Kevin Kelley who took Matthew on several ride-alongs, helped answer questions and served as a mentor to the aspiring young policeman. His teachers and coaches through school, and so many here in Shiner who helped along the way, even if it was just a kind word when he needed one.
“I don’t think people realize just all there is before a police department will select you for the Academy,” Michelle Herman said. “They do tons of interviews with family, friends, teachers, coaches, employers, and co-workers to determine exactly what kind of person you are. We owe so much to the town of Shiner for getting him to this point.”
The hiring process quite nearly took longer than the academy itself, she said, and that was just the beginning. “After interviews, they must pass a grueling physical and strength exam. Then a psychological exam. And then, a lie detector test. It’s crazy,” Herman said.
And that doesn’t include the shooting tests he has to pass as well.
Mere mention of the word shooting tends to send shivers up Michelle’s back, whenever she pauses to consider the possibility.
It’s one of the reasons you don’t have to go too far on her Facebook page to find a prayer to St. Michael, the archangel.
He’s the patron saint you pray to when you’re sick, for those who might not know. He’s also the patron saint of grocers, soldiers, doctors, sailors, paratroopers and, of course, police officers.
“It can be hard though, being a mom, because he’s my baby still,” she said, fanning herself as if to dry the tears that welled up on her when she spoke of such things.
But, she said, she and her husband, Brian, Matthew’s dad, are just so proud.
“We’ve watched Matthew work for four years toward this goal, and it was a treacherous journey,” she said. “We both could not be prouder of him.”