Dec. 2, 2024

Nevada State Police Highway Patrol and partnering agencies statewide came together Saturday night to honor two fallen officers, Sergeant Michael Abbate and Trooper Alberto Felix who were killed in the line of duty a year ago by a drunk driver.

Over the weekend, NSP issued an impaired driving apprehension campaign to prevent further fatalities out on the roadways.

Major Kevin Honea with Nevada State Police shared with 8 News Now that throughout the year, he and his colleagues have grown closer in the midst of tragedy. They are continuing to do whatever they can for the troopers’ families, particularly their surviving spouses and kids.

“The fact that we can come together, share and hopefully make sure that someone else doesn’t have to go through the needless loss of a loved one by getting the drunk driver off the road before they crash is crucial,” Major Honea said.

Former colleagues and family members of the two fallen troopers gathered at Metro’s Enterprise Area Command with many reflecting on the year.

“Remember Felix and Abbate,” Honea said. “And I know you guys have every day you’ve worked. … Understand that you have a couple of guardian angels when you go out tonight. Let’s do everything we can to make them proud.”

When asked how the loss of Abbate and Felix has impacted his department, Honea said his troopers have grown closer.

“I think now we’re not afraid to tell somebody we love them when they walk out the door. We know firsthand that may be the last time we say it.” Honea said.

Sergeant Abbate and Trooper Alberto were struck and killed in the early morning hours of Nov. 30, 2023, by a vehicle on northbound I-15 at the D Street off-ramp. The Highway Patrol Officers were responding to a car with a driver who might have been asleep. The crash happened a minute later as the two men were outside of their cruisers to the left side of the parked vehicle, according to police documents.

November 15, 2024

The California Highway Patrol (CHP) proudly announces a major achievement in its ongoing recruitment efforts as it officially swears in 121 new officers, bringing the Department past its goal of hiring over 1,000 officers. This milestone underscores the CHP’s commitment to enhancing public safety and strengthening its presence within communities across the state. The swearing-in ceremony at the CHP Academy in West Sacramento marks the culmination of months of rigorous training for these new officers. Each will report for duty to one of CHP’s 102 Area offices throughout the state. This is the largest graduating class since June 2022, when 128 officers were sworn in.

The CHP started its successful multi-year recruitment campaign in June 2022. With over 21,000 applications submitted in the first ten months of 2024, the CHP has already surpassed last year’s application total of more than 16,300 over the same period, representing a 29% increase. To accommodate this increase, the CHP conducts three concurrent cadet classes at its live-in training facility, where more than 250 cadets are currently in training. A new class of 160 cadets will arrive at the CHP Academy on December 1. Training at the CHP Academy is comprehensive, beginning with a foundation of nobility in policing, leadership, ethics, and cultural diversity. Cadets also receive specialized instruction in responding to mental health crises, vehicle patrol, crash investigation, first aid, and impaired driver evaluation. Additional training covers traffic control, report writing, stolen vehicle recovery, assisting motorists, emergency scene management, and mastery of the California Vehicle, Penal, and Health and Safety Codes.

On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the Arizona Department of Public Safety (AZDPS) is proud to announce the graduation of 27 new Arizona State Troopers from the State Trooper Academy.  Colonel Jeffrey Glover, Director of the AZDPS, addressed the class and administered their oath of office during the graduation ceremony in Mesa, CONGRATULATIONS!  The AST Class 36 troopers and assignments are as follows:

Metro Central District:

Trooper Chase Becker

Trooper Devonte Brown

Trooper Jenna Fields

Trooper Bryan Haynes

Metro East District:

Tooper Al Hutchinson

Trooper Isaiah Rael

Trooper Summer Soto

Metro West District:

Trooper Ethan Brown

Metro South District:

Trooper Victor Villalobos

Phoenix Capitol District:

Trooper Marshall Williams

Tucson District 8:

Trooper Aron Acosta

Casa Grande District 6:

Trooper Caius Branderhorst

Trooper Darlene Lara Cordova

Trooper Sean Manell

Trooper Manuel Rosario

Oracle District 8:

Trooper Kea Casey

Benson District 9:

Trooper Noah Dikman

Trooper Sara Hareid

Sierra Vista District 9:

Trooper Andrew Marshall

Willcox District 9:

Trooper Manuel Rivera

Trooper Fabian Rueda

Bullhead City District 1:

Trooper Angel Gomez-Segundo

Kingman District 1:

Trooper John Jimenez

Trooper Tony Van DynHoven

Flagstaff District 2:

Trooper Spencer Kerwin

Holbrook District 3:

Trooper Timothy Tubbs

Prescott District 12:

Trooper Nicholas Spiess

November 18, 2024

This week, through a partnership with Kroger, Michigan State Police (MSP) troopers will deliver 200 Thanksgiving dinners to families in central and southeast Michigan. Each meal kit, which includes a turkey and traditional sides, will feed 4-6 people. 
“This year, Kroger and the Michigan State Police are coming together once again to feed hundreds of Michigan families,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “They’ve been collaborating on this effort for years and have delivered more than 1,800 meals and counting across central and southeast Michigan. Together, let’s keep living our Michigan values and supporting our neighbors in need. This Thanksgiving, I hope every Michigander gets to spend time with their loved ones, eat a great meal, and find their own way to give back.”
Participating MSP posts include Lansing, Jackson, Monroe, Brighton, Metro North, Metro South, Flint, Lapeer and Tri-City. Recipients were identified by MSP community service troopers through collaboration with local schools and community service organizations.

“In our shared commitment to combat food insecurity in the communities we live and serve, the Kroger Co. of Michigan stands united with the Michigan State Police, extending a helping hand to those facing the challenge of hunger,” said Cameron Barrett, Corporate Affairs Manager for the Kroger Co. of Michigan. “The holiday season magnifies the importance of this collaboration, recognizing that food lies at the heart of cherished family traditions. Over the last nine years, we've successfully provided and delivered more than 1,800 holiday meals to families experiencing hardships throughout the state of Michigan. Together, we make a meaningful impact, turning compassion into action and transforming holiday tables into symbols of hope and abundance."

“Community service is a huge part of who we are as a department, and our troopers look forward to making these deliveries each year,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the MSP. “We are grateful to Kroger for their continued partnership, making this initiative possible.”