Last modified: Friday, April 11, 2008 1:39 AM EDT Mansfield Detective Sgt. Sam Thompson Jr., who graduated from the FBI Academy. (Submitted) Head of Mansfield's detectives graduates from FBI academy BY DAVID LINTON / SUN CHRONICLE STAFF MANSFIELD - A local police sergeant has graduated from the FBI National Academy Program with 280 other law-enforcement officers from 48 states. Mansfield Detective Sgt. Sam Thompson Jr., who is chief of the police department's detective unit, was in a class that also included law-enforcement officials from 21 countries, four military organizations and three federal civilian organizations. Held in Quantico, Va., the academy is known internationally for its academic excellence. Thompson participated in 10 weeks of advanced investigative, management, and fitness training for selected officers with proven records as professionals within their agencies. Thompson is the fifth Mansfield police officer to attend the selective academy in 50 years. "Only one half of 1 percent of law-enforcement officers ever get an appointment to the National Academy," said Police Chief Arthur O'Neill, who graduated from the FBI academy in 1998. Lt. Walter Crickard graduated in 2004, retired Sgt. Robert Jones in 1975 and former chief N. Lawrence D'Afile in 1957. FBI Director Robert Mueller was the principal speaker at the graduation ceremony in March. Training for the program is provided by the FBI Academy instructional staff, special agents, and other staff members holding advanced degrees, many of whom are recognized internationally in their fields of expertise. A total of 41,429 graduates now represent the FBI National Academy, which since July 1935 has brought advanced training opportunities to other law-enforcement agencies. Of this number, approximately 23,917 are still active in law-enforcement work.