Grayson H. Watson awarded Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy scholarship at South Georgia Technical College

July 8, 2020

South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray is shown above (left) with Grayson H. Watson (center) of Sycamore, Georgia, who is a graduate of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and a recipient of the SGTC Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Scholarship. SGTC President Dr. John Watford (right) is also shown.

Grayson H. Watson of Sycamore, GA, was awarded the Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship at the conclusion of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 20 – 01 training.

Lou Crouch of Bryon endowed this scholarship for the South Georgia Technical College (SGTC) Law Enforcement Academy in memory of Peach County Sheriff’s Office Deputies Patrick Sondron and Daryl Smallwood. The two deputies died in the line of duty in November 2016.

Watson has spent the past five years of his life dedicated to public safety. He has served his community as a member of the fire department and as an EMT and now he is returning as a law enforcement official.

“As a Firefighter/AEMT, I saw the world in a different light, and this moved me to consider Law Enforcement,” said Grayson Watson. “My desire to provide the best quality of service has motivated me to learn as much as I can in the fields I worked in. Starting a career as a peace officer is no different. My goal is to be the most effective officer I can be through preparation, training, and education.

“My aspiration is to further my education past the Basic Law Enforcement Academy training at South Georgia Technical College. I also plan to get my degree in Criminal Justice. The money from this scholarship would help ease the financial strain and directly support my goal of higher education.”

Watson was very thankful to Lou Crouch for endowing the scholarship opportunity and expressed his sympathy to the families of the two law enforcement officials who passed away in the line of duty.

South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford met with the members of the LEA class 20 – 01, whose studies came to halt during the COVID-19 pandemic and only recently were able to resume. “I am very thankful to Lou Crouch for his support of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy and the SGTC Foundation,” said Dr. Watford. “His generosity is allowing you to have the opportunity to continue your educational and career goals. I hope you serve in a manner that honors Lou Crouch and Deputies Smallwood and Sondron.”

South Georgia Technical College Foundation Executive Director Su Ann Bird shared that “this scholarship and others are a tremendous help to the young men and women who are training to become public servants and work as law enforcement officers here in Georgia. An investment in an endowed scholarship will continue to give back to students indefinitely. We appreciate what Lou Crouch and others are doing for our students and our state. The students he is helping today with these educational opportunities may be the public servants that we count on tomorrow in our local communities.”

For more information about making a donation or establishing an endowed scholarship at South Georgia Technical College contact Su Ann Bird, SGTC Foundation Executive Director at 229.931.2110 or sbird@southgatech.edu. Contributions may also be mailed to the SGTC Foundation, P.O. Box 6102, Americus, GA.

Individuals interested in attending the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy can contact the office at 229-931-2716 or contact Director Brett Murray at bmurray@southgatech.edu.