JCC Opens New Tactical Training Facility at Howell Woods
Published: June 20,2018Facility allows real-life firearms training exercises for law enforcement.
Johnston Community College officially celebrated the opening of the Donnie E. and
Linda V. Lassiter Tactical Training Facility on Monday.
A dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the 1,800-square foot multi-room facility located at JCC’s Rudolph A. Howell Environmental Learning Center, commonly known as Howell Woods.
About 75 people attended the ceremony, including N.C. Rep. Donna White, Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell, Major Shane S. Manuel of the N.C. Highway Patrol, local police chiefs and officers, county commissioners, and local elected officials.
The training facility is constructed with bullet absorbing concrete to allow law enforcement officers and students to simulate live-fire training exercises. The facility is named in honor of the Lassiters who contributed a significant gift towards the $500,000 project.
Dr. David Johnson, JCC president, thanked the Lassiters for their continued support of programs and facility enhancements at the college. “We are so excited about this new training facility for law enforcement officers and students,” Johnson said. “It would not have been possible without the support of the Lassiter family, who continue to give and invest in JCC. We are so grateful for all you do to make projects like this a reality for our college and our county.”
Donnie Lassiter said he hoped the new tactical training facility will help recruit new students to JCC as well as provide enhanced training for law enforcement.
“We’ve always supported law enforcement in Johnston County,” Lassiter said. “We know how much they sacrifice when they leave home every morning. I just think it’s great that we can take our love for this community college and our love for this county and combine it with the support of law enforcement, put it in one facility and have it here on this beautiful campus.”
Cut line: Pictured from left are Donnie and Linda Lassiter and members of their family; Lyn Austin, chair JCC Board of Trustees; Major Shane S. Manuel of the N.C. Highway Patrol; N.C. Rep. Donna White; Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell; Dr. David Johnson, JCC president; and Dr. Twyla Wells, executive director of the JCC Foundation.