Matthew Perrine awarded Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy scholarship at South Georgia Technical College

May 18, 2021
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford (left) is shown above congratulating Matthew Perrine (center) for receiving the Smallwood – Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship. SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray is also shown above (right).
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford (left) is shown above congratulating Matthew Perrine (center) for receiving the Smallwood – Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship. SGTC Law Enforcement Academy Director Brett Murray is also shown above (right).

     Matthew Perrine of Americus, GA, was awarded the Smallwood-Sondron Law Enforcement Academy Scholarship at the conclusion of the South Georgia Technical College Law Enforcement Academy Class 21 – 01 training.  Perrine is joining the Americus Police Department upon graduation.

     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. 

    Perrine expressed his appreciation to South Georgia Technical College, the Law Enforcement Academy staff and Lou Crouch.  “I am so thankful for this scholarship,” said Perrine.  “My wife and I are both in school and will be for the foreseeable future.  I will be working full-time and continuing my education part-time while she goes to school full-time.  My wife and I are pursuing our education to ensure the best possible future for our daughter.  This scholarship helps us to show our daughter that you can do anything you set your mind too and that there’s always someone to help if you look and are willing to ask.”

   Perrine also expressed his sympathy to the families of the two law enforcement officials who passed away in the line of duty.  “I hope I can make all of them proud through my service in law enforcement,” said Perrin.

    South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford met with the members of the LEA class 21 – 01, and thanked them for their commitment and service.  He also had words of praise for Lou Crouch and his support of Law Enforcement and South Georgia Technical College. “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 congratulated the cadets and shared, “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 donating 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.