MARIETTA - The North Central Georgia Law Enforcement Academy graduated 32 law enforcement officers on Friday morning in a ceremony at the Cobb Civic Center's Anderson Theater.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, the guest speaker, told the graduates that he admired the commitment and courage it takes to do the jobs for which they spent 10 weeks in training.

"Evil abides in our life and world today. And it's people like these graduates that are willing to stand in the gap, between evil and law-abiding citizens," Cagle said.

He added that the badges they wear come with a responsibility to respect and uphold the law.

"It is your duty, each and every day, to be governed by convictions that you hold and to have the courage to carry out those convictions. But, more importantly, always be governed by that character that shapes who you are. You are a representative of this great state and of the community by which you represent."

The majority of those who graduated will serve in Cobb County, with the Cobb Sheriff's Office, and police departments in Marietta, Kennesaw and Smyrna.

Cobb Sheriff Neil Warren introduced Cagle and asked the graduates and their families to be keep those impacted in Thursday's mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas, in their prayers.

The law enforcement officers who graduated underwent 10 weeks of training, totaling 408 hours of instruction, said Maj. Hansell Walraven Jr., academy director. He said they completed 21 tests and 33 performance evaluations that covered state criminal law, firearms, emergency vehicle operations and basic tactics.

Cobb Sheriff's Sgt. Kevin Bell, course coordinator, said the academy's 253rd graduating class was the first to complete emergency vehicle operations and firearms training with 100 percent graduation.

Cobb Sheriff's Deputy Nathaniel Welch, who was selected class president, said in his remarks during the ceremony that his fellow graduates grew close during their training.

"We've developed friendships and we've truly grown into one team," he said. "I would like to challenge this class - and myself included - to seek ways at all times to better ourselves. To continue to show the discipline, enthusiasm and the desire for knowledge that helped make us successful this past 10 weeks."

Other new Cobb Sheriff Office deputies are: Kimberly Adams, Bryan Brannen, Todd Casey, Gary Floyd Jr., Shane Fry, Andre Gindratt, Jenna Hall, Jeffrey Henley, Stuart Hightower, Lakesha Jackson, David McBurnett, William Mondore, Chaka Oliver, Michele Stokes, Brian Tighe and Marcus Wright Sr.

Additional new peace officers are: Marietta Police Officer John Curry, Kennesaw Police Officer Joshua Hale, Smyrna Parks Officer Samuel Heredia, Kennesaw State University Officer Brandon Cortolano and Southern Polytechnic State University Officer Ashley Peters.