Guilford County Sheriff's Office Captain Howell Graduates from FBI National Academy

Captain L. Howell, the first Black woman to serve as district captain for the Guilford County Sheriff's Office, completed the FBI National Academy on March 18 in Quantico, Virginia. The achievement places her among a select tier of American law enforcement leaders and adds a historic credential to an already groundbreaking career.

Howell was among 253 officers who finished the 10-week program, which drew participants from 48 states, the District of Columbia, 24 countries, four military organizations and four federal civilian organizations. Participants are selected based on their professionalism and leadership within their agencies, and the FBI National Academy is widely regarded as one of law enforcement's most prestigious training programs.

The program is demanding on every level. Coursework during the 10-week session covers subjects including law, behavioral science, forensic science, the terrorist mindset, communication, health and fitness, and leadership development. Howell completed college-level instruction taught by FBI instructors, special agents and subject matter experts. The physical requirements are equally rigorous: the Yellow Brick Road, the final test of the fitness challenge, is a grueling 6.1-mile run through a hilly, wooded trail built by the U.S. Marines. Howell cleared that course as well.

"Excellence is never an accident — it is earned through discipline, sacrifice, and purpose," Howell said in a statement, describing the experience as "challenging, inspiring, and unforgettable."

Sheriff Danny Rogers praised Howell's achievement as a reflection of the high standards upheld by the agency.

Howell commands District 3, whose primary function is uniformed patrol and criminal investigations covering assaults, burglary, theft, fraud and juvenile criminal offenses, operating out of 211 Hillstone Drive in Jamestown. The district covers unincorporated areas of Guilford County south and west of Greensboro, making her rank and advanced training directly relevant to tens of thousands of county residents.

The broader significance of Howell's graduation extends beyond Guilford County. FBI National Academy graduates represent all 50 states, 176 countries and over 10,200 law enforcement agencies, and more than 56,000 officers have completed the program. Attendees average 21 years of law enforcement experience and frequently go on to serve in executive-level roles, a trajectory that now sits squarely in front of Howell as she returns to Jamestown.