Miriam Villa-Batista, St. Petersburg, FL PSC Unit 1969

receives Billy Yout Excellence in Leadership Award

2022 PSC National Leadership Academy

Pictured above is Cadet Villa-Batista accepting the award plaque and $2,500 scholarship at the closing ceremony of PSC's National Leadership Academy presented by retired Chief of Police and Public Safety Cadets Board Member Veid Muiznieks. 

Cadet Miriam Villa-Batista of Public Safety Cadets Unit #1969, sponsored by the St. Petersburg (FL) Police Department, is the recipient of the 2022 Billy Yout Excellence in Leadership Award.  Cadet Villa-Batista attended the Public Safety Cadets National Leadership Academy, conducted at the U.S Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, during the period of July 24-30, 2022.   The Mentors and staff who observed Cadet Villa-Batista’s performance and actions during the academy selected her for this prestigious award based on her demonstrated leadership, initiative, creativity, dedication, and future potential. Cadet Villa-Batista was presented with an award plaque and will receive a $2,500 monetary honorarium to be used for educational expenses.   Her name, Public Safety Cadets Unit number, and sponsoring agency will be added to a master plaque for the Billy Yout Excellence in Leadership Award that contains the name of each recipient and is displayed at the DEA Academy in Quantico, VA. 

William H. Yout, affectionately known as “Billy” to his friends, family, and colleagues, served with distinction as a DEA Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent.  During his career with DEA, he was the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his skills as a criminal investigator, undercover agent and supervisor.  Most of all, Billy was known as a great father, a kind and caring individual, and a visionary and dynamic leader who inspired people to pursue excellence.  He retired from DEA on March 31, 2004, following 32 years of service as a federal law enforcement officer.  Sadly, Billy passed away on August 06, 2004, after a year-long battle with brain cancer. 

Billy was a strong supporter of programs for young adults interested in a career in law enforcement and whenever possible volunteered to serve as a member of the DEA staff at national law enforcement conferences for youth and related activities.  He always was quick with a kind word and good advice to young adults, continuously reminding them of the importance of becoming a good leader and a role model to others.  Billy saw in young adults boundless potential and future leaders for the law enforcement community. 

The Billy Yout Excellence in Leadership Award was established to recognize young adults who best exemplify the visionary leadership qualities that Billy demonstrated during his impressive career with DEA.  Those qualities include the ability to motivate and inspire people to achieve goals and objectives; to help others develop self-confidence and self-esteem through teamwork and challenging individual assignments that build decision making skills and provide leadership experience; the capacity to show unyielding strength of character and courage tempered with compassion and empathy; the moral and ethical fortitude to make the right decision even when confronted with adversity; and exhibiting by thought and deed exceptional excellence in leadership.

Congratulations to Cadet Miriam Villa-Batista!

Cadet Villa-Batista received the Excellence in Leadership Award ribbon.

Public Safety Cadets thanks the United States Army Military Police School, 14th Military Police Brigade for hosting our academy this year at Fort Leonard Wood.