Deputy Logan Burke Graduates West Virginia State Police Academy

Key facts

• Deputy Logan Burke graduated from the West Virginia State Police Basic Police Academy.
• Burke was part of the academy's 202nd class.
• He returned to Taylor County on April 18.
• Burke achieved a 96.28 grade point average at the academy.
• Approximately half of Burke's academy class did not complete the program.
• Burke was hired as a bailiff by the Taylor County Sheriff's Office in February 2025.
• He passed the deputy's exam in July and was sworn in.

New Deputy Joins Taylor County Sheriff's Office

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office has officially added Deputy Logan Burke to its ranks following his successful graduation from the West Virginia State Police Basic Police Academy. Burke, a member of the academy’s 202nd class, returned to his community on April 18, bringing with him the skills and dedication honed during his intensive training. His tenure with the Sheriff's Office began in February 2025 when he was hired as a bailiff. However, Burke harbored ambitions that extended beyond the courtroom, quickly pursuing a path toward becoming a certified officer. By July, he had successfully passed the demanding deputy's examination and was officially sworn in, marking the commencement of his journey toward full law enforcement certification. "When I was hired on as a bailiff, I knew I wanted to be a deputy to help serve and protect my community," Burke stated. He noted that the training received as a bailiff provided a valuable foundation for his subsequent law enforcement aspirations.

Rigors of the Academy and Burke's Achievement

The West Virginia State Police Basic Police Academy presented a formidable challenge, a fact underscored by its significant attrition rate. Burke himself observed that "about half of the class didn’t make it to graduation," illustrating the demanding nature of the curriculum and training. Despite the arduous conditions, Burke persevered, driven by his aspiration to become a certified officer. He described the initial weeks as "pretty rough" but emphasized the transformative power of teamwork. "Once we learned how to become a team, did what we needed to do and all our goals aligned, things became a little bit easier to deal with," he recounted. Burke's dedication culminated in an exceptional academic performance, earning him an impressive grade point average of 96.28. This achievement highlights his commitment and aptitude for law enforcement, even amidst the academy's demanding environment.

Praise from Sheriff Durrett

Taylor County Sheriff Randy Durrett expressed considerable pride in Deputy Burke's accomplishments and character. "We are fortunate to have him back," Sheriff Durrett stated, emphasizing Burke's high GPA as "very impressive." Sheriff Durrett lauded Burke's deep-rooted connection to the local community and his inherent qualities as a public servant. "Logan has always been someone that I could count on to do the right thing, and he knows the main function is to protect people and their property and to do it respectfully and to treat others how he would want himself, his family or others to be treated," the Sheriff remarked. The Sheriff also pointed to Burke's strong interpersonal skills as a significant asset. "One of the things we like about him is he’s very polite, talks to the citizens, and he has a desire to help his community," Durrett added, expressing his hope that Burke would remain with the department for the duration of his career.

Endorsement from Deputy Delgado

Deputy Ed Delgado echoed Sheriff Durrett's sentiments, commending Burke's intelligence and thorough preparation for the demands of law enforcement. Delgado noted that while many individuals express interest in becoming officers, few truly grasp the commitment required. "Logan not only showed interest, but he showed very well that he understood what he was going to be tasked with, and he dedicated himself to that prior to going to the academy," Delgado observed. This proactive approach, he suggested, allowed Burke to navigate the academy's challenges effectively. Delgado concluded that Burke's ability to internalize the requirements of the job and dedicate himself to preparation prior to commencing his academy training set him apart. "He took it all in stride and accomplished what he set out to do," Delgado said, reinforcing the belief that Burke is well-equipped for his role.

The bottom line

• Deputy Logan Burke has successfully completed the West Virginia State Police Basic Police Academy.
• He achieved a high academic standing with a 96.28 GPA.
• The academy had a significant dropout rate, with about half of the class not graduating.
• Burke joined the Taylor County Sheriff's Office in February 2025 as a bailiff before pursuing his deputy role.
• Sheriff Randy Durrett and Deputy Ed Delgado praised Burke's character, intelligence, and community dedication.
• Burke's graduation signifies a significant addition to the Taylor County Sheriff's Office.