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Metropolitan Detention Center graduates 256th corrections class; Marie Aragon promoted to major
Summary
The Bernalillo County Metropolitan Detention Center held a graduation for cadet class 256, swearing in multiple new corrections officers, naming a top cadet and promoting Marie Aragon to major; medical staff recognized officers for lifesaving interventions.
At a graduation ceremony at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, officials promoted Marie Aragon to the rank of major, swore in members of cadet class 256 as corrections officers and presented awards for lifesaving interventions.
The ceremony recognized operational and training staff, honored promoted employees and concluded with an oath administered by Joshua Sanchez, chief judge at Metropolitan Court, who thanked corrections staff for their work. Several new officers received certificates; the academy named Nagomi Masuko as the top cadet of class 256.
The promotion of Marie Aragon was introduced by staff member Joe Spallanes, who said Aragon began at the detention center in 2011 and rose through ranks while serving on specialized units including the Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Security Threat Intelligence Unit (STIU). Spallanes credited Aragon with contributions to policy revision and staff development and presented her promotion as recognition of her leadership and work as a use-of-force instructor.
In remarks accepting the promotion, Major Marie Aragon thanked family, mentors and the MDC staff and said she was “filled with deep gratitude” for the opportunity to continue serving and mentoring new officers.
Katrina Lopez, who identified herself as running medical services at MDC on behalf of UNM Hospitals, used the ceremony to highlight the role correctional officers play in health interventions. Lopez said officers do more than maintain security: they are responsible for noticing inmates in distress and helping stabilize them. She recognized Officer Howard Battle (not present) for starting chest compressions during a cardiac arrest and Officer John Lilly for intervening with an inmate in detox to take vitals and stabilize the person.
Joshua Sanchez led the oath for the new officers, administering the sworn statement that they will support the U.S. and New Mexico constitutions and faithfully discharge their duties for the Metropolitan Detention Center in the city of Albuquerque, County of Bernalillo. Multiple officers had certificates presented by staff during the ceremony; names announced included James Montgomery, Alyssa Baca, Avian Bernal, Armando Botillo, Kimberly Enriquez, Justin Gama, Nagomi Masuko, Gerardo Rivera, Gerardo Chores and Bridal Valencia, among others announced during the presentation.
The academy’s 10-week program and its instructors were highlighted repeatedly by speakers as the foundation for the new officers’ training. Speakers urged the graduates to rely on mentors and cited the demands of the job, including de-escalation, defensive tactics and the emotional challenges of corrections work.
The event closed with a reminder of refreshments and a request that attendees drive safely. Organizers invited family members and friends to take photographs with the graduates before they depart.
Ending: The graduating officers formally joined the MDC workforce after taking the oath; the facility also noted internal promotions and singled out individual officers for lifesaving actions during the ceremony.
