(VIDEO) Gov. O’Malley, Real Life ‘Catch Me If You Can’ Subject Speak to Graduating Maryland Troopers in Sykesville

Gov. Martin O’Malley and former con-man-turned-FBI-security consultant Frank Abagnale Jr. Friday congratulated 46 new Maryland State Police Troopers.

After 26 weeks of rigorous training, the 136th Maryland State Trooper Candidate Class took the oath and received diplomas in a graduation ceremony at Century High School in Sykesville. 

The candidates join an organization of 1,500 troopers and 700 support personnel in the Maryland State Police.

"I’m here to tell you that your governor is behind you and most importantly and more importantly, so are the people in the great state that you now serve," said O’Malley. 

This is the eighth State Police Academy class that has graduated during the O’Malley administration.

Hundreds of friends, families and police personnel attended the ceremony as candidates from across the state, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and as far away as Haiti completed their last step towards becoming Maryland State Troopers.

The guest speaker was a legendary figure in crime history not only for what he’s done for the FBI, but for the movie screen as well.

Frank Abagnale Jr. spoke to the graduating class about his life as a con man as portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the 2002 film "Catch Me If You Can."

He talked about his experience running from the police and how he didn’t think of himself as "brilliant" as some describe him, but instead as "immoral and young." 

"I was 16 years old and I was told I had to choose which parent to live with. I started to cry and the judge called for recess but by the time my parents got outside, I was gone," said Abagnale. 

After serving less than five years in a federal prison, the government released him on the condition that he would help the federal authorities track down criminals without pay. He now works as a security consultant for the FBI. 

He has kept his job with the FBI long after the time he was ordered to serve, saying that it is where he belongs.

"To those men on stage and to those men in the audience both young and old I remind you what it truly is to actually be a man. It has nothing to do with money," he told the candidates and their families.

In his closing remarks, O’Malley spoke to the families of the new troopers directly, noting the danger the troopers face for the safety of others.

"To the families I must say a special word of thanks. It is not easy having a family member in law enforcement," said O'Malley. "I just want you to know that there are people throughout this state that are going to be praying for these men and women every single day and appreciate everyday the important, invaluable work that they do for all of us."