AUGUST 11, 2023 

The State Highway Patrol proudly welcomed 22 new troopers today at a graduation ceremony held for the 159th Basic Highway Patrol School. The ceremony celebrates 29 weeks of extensive training to prepare the graduates for a meaningful career in law enforcement.  

The ceremony was held at 10 o’clock at the Shepherd’s Church in Cary.  Department of Public Safety Chief of Staff Jane Ammons Gilchrist served as guest speaker, providing uplifting remarks to the graduates. The oath of office was administered by Judge Jefferson Griffin of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Colonel Freddy L. Johnson, Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol, provided remarks to the newest sworn members of the State Highway Patrol.  

“These newly sworn Troopers have a great responsibility placed upon them as ambassadors for our state,” said Johnson. “With that responsibility comes the opportunity for great reward as they will be in a position to positively impact lives through our traffic safety mission.”   

The new state troopers will report to their respective duty stations on Wednesday, August 30, to begin a demanding field training program. 

SCHOHARIE, New York— A Schoharie High School senior who lost an arm in a March crash involving an alleged impaired driver recently graduated with two of the troopers who helped save his life in attendance.

Schoharie senior Nate Parslow had been on his way to a family dinner on March 5 when his vehicle was struck on Route 30 by a man police say was impaired by drugs.

Parslow suffered serious injuries to his arm, prompting responding troopers to apply tourniquets, helping to save his life. Parslow ultimately lost part of his arm.

“This is a celebration that almost didn’t happen…” New York State Police wrote on Facebook.

The post included a photo of Parslow smiling in his blue Schoharie High School graduation cap and gown flanked by two smiling troopers.

The troopers, identified as Trooper Yodis and Trooper Bird (first names not immediately available) rushed to the scene and applied the tourniquets that helped save Parslow’s life, the post read.

“He recently graduated from Schoharie Central School and those Troopers were honored to attend and celebrate his accomplishments,” the post read. “Nate is an inspiring young man. His perseverance leaves us with no doubt he will do amazing things.”

Despite this emotional and physically challenging journey, Nate continues to push forward and conquer his battles. He is described as almost always having a smile on his face and is a true picture of courage and inspiration.

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Louisiana State Police announced the graduation of its 102nd Cadet Class, as 40 cadets have completed their journey to becoming a Louisiana State Trooper on Friday morning, Aug. 4. The Louisiana State Police Training Academy and Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge hosted the graduation ceremonies on Friday morning, Aug. 4, 2023

On February 19, 2023, 48 cadets from across the state began their 24-week journey through the Louisiana State Police Training Academy. Throughout the academy, cadets received training in various subjects including crash investigation, emergency vehicle operations, impaired driving detection, fair and impartial policing, legal aspects and constitutional updates, advanced firearms, and leadership skills in addition to a rigorous physical training regimen. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow troopers, 40 of those cadets achieved their goal this morning and received the distinguished badge of the Louisiana State Police. Having successfully completed the LSP Training Academy, the newly graduated Troopers will deploy across the state, where they will participate in a 10–14-week field-training program while supervised by a veteran Louisiana State Trooper.

The following is a list of graduates and their Troop assignments:

Troop A – Baton Rouge

Devon Courville

Devin Kwan

Cameron Morrison

Gracie Sinanan

Johnathan Winfrey

Troop B – Kenner

Amber Campbell

Dominic Caravella

Shelby Mayfield

Camden Stahl

Troop C – Gray

Haleigh Consterdine

Austin Howard

Troop D – Lake Charles

Austin Juckett

Deshawn Mouton

Austen Wright

Troop E – Alexandria

John Barnard

Aaron Boyette

William Hill

William Skinner

Troop F – Monroe

Morgan Barbo

Sammie Collins

Dylan Kelly

Aaron Kindrix

Joh’lik Madison

Troop G – Bossier City

James Bailey

Ryan Phillips

Kade Schufft

Raygen Snellgrove

Brenton Thompson

Lance White

Jacon Winiarski

Troop I – Lafayette

Spencer Broussard

Gustavo Cazares

Aaron Clark

Charles Norris

Troop L – Mandeville

Daisy Higgins

Carl James

Frank Mondello

Kyle Moran

Rhett Restivo

Ryan Young

Aug 5, 2023

Maryland’s residents from Frederick County and beyond gathered under sunny skies on Saturday for an open house celebrating the 50th anniversary of Maryland State Police’s Aviation Command Division in Frederick County.

The event, held at the Frederick Municipal Airport, featured Trooper 3 — the state police helicopter stationed at the airport — as well fire trucks, law enforcement vehicles, other aircrafts and more for residents to see and interact with.

MSP Sgt. Tim Zendgraft, the officer in charge for the state police’s Frederick Aviation Section, oversaw coordinating and organizing the 50th anniversary celebration.

He said he hopes the event gives people an appreciation of the state’s Aviation Command and a glimpse at how many groups they collaborate with.

“Just for one of our missions, it’s not like we just go and fly around. We need all of our partners on the ground to help assist all that,” he said. “Having everyone here to support this and our 50 years is what the whole event is about.”

The Frederick Aviation Section was placed in service on Aug. 1, 1973, according to the MSP website. Trooper 3’s primary response areas include Frederick, Washington and Carroll counties, as well as northern Montgomery County.

County law enforcement, firefighting and emergency service agencies ran booths during the open house. They featured activities for children, free items and information on their own operations.

One of the agencies that had a booth was Frederick County’s Department of Emergency Preparedness, which falls under the county’s Division of Emergency Management. Becky Rogers, emergency management planner with the department, said the department helps provide resources to other agencies when there are emergencies in the Frederick County area.

Rogers said she didn’t anticipate the huge number of people who ended up coming to the open house.

“I think it’s a great event, brings a lot of people together from out-of-county too, actually,” she said. “It’s a good way to network.”

Some attendees came from beyond Maryland’s borders. A few officers from the Pennsylvania State Police flew down to the event, such as Sgt. Michael Becker. Becker, who is an aviation section supervisor at his own department, said that MSP invited them.

Becker said the two state police forces have worked closely together, and MSP have provided support on Pennsylvania’s Southern border.

He echoed Rogers’ sentiments and said the turnout was surprising.

“The turnout has been tremendous. I’m shocked by how many displays they have ... and just the turnout of the public,” he said.

The open house drew out plenty of parents, grandparents and children who eagerly walked around to the various booths and climbed into different vehicles and aircrafts.

Donnie Dewitt and Susan Dewitt, who live in Frederick, brought their granddaughter, Delilah Watts, to see Trooper 3 and other public safety vehicles.

The two agreed that the event was a “great idea” to raise awareness about public safety groups.

“I think it’s a great idea really, just to give thanks to the people that are here. And give exposure for the little kids and for the adults to thank the people for what they do,” Donnie Dewitt said.

August 11, 2023

The Kentucky State Police (KSP) announced that 51 cadets have graduated from the agency’s training academy and are now ready to report for duty across the commonwealth.

Cadet Class 103 graduates increase the number of KSP troopers protecting Kentucky’s 120 counties to approximately 940. That is the highest number of troopers the agency has employed since 2006.

During the ceremony, KSP Commissioner Phillip Burnett, Jr. pledged the agency’s commitment to continue providing exceptional training and critical resources to the 51 graduates to ensure a successful and long career in law enforcement.

“I am pleased to welcome these new cadets to the ranks of trooper,” said Commissioner Burnett. “It has been a hard-fought journey for each of them. They have more than earned the honor to wear our badge.”

Cadet Class 103 reported to the KSP training academy on February 26 to embark on 24 weeks of intense training to learn the job skills necessary to perform the duties of a state trooper.

These graduating cadets will uphold the mission of KSP to promote public safety through service, integrity and professionalism using partnerships to prevent, reduce and deter crime and the fear of crime, enhance highway safety through education and enforcement, safeguard property and protect individual rights.

The graduates of Cadet Class 103 received more than 1,000 hours of classroom and field study in subjects like constitutional law, juvenile and traffic law, use of force, weapons training, defensive tactics, first aid, high-speed vehicle pursuit, criminal investigation, computer literacy, hostage negotiations, evidence collection, radio procedures, search and seizure, crash investigation, drug identification, traffic control, crowd control, armed robbery response, electronic crimes, sex crimes, hate crimes, domestic violence, bomb threats and hazardous materials.

The KSP Training Academy staff provide cadets with best practices, the latest technology training and legal information to help make the commonwealth’s streets safer, communities stronger and the nation more secure through exceptional law enforcement.

“The commonwealth’s newest troopers have been given hundreds of hours of training to help them face tomorrows challenges,” said KSP Academy Commander Capt. Shawn Darby. “They will need everyone’s genuine support throughout their career, in good times and bad.”

Cadet Class 103 graduates and their assigned posts are:

Post 1, MAYFIELD
Kelly Underhill, Almo, Ky.

Post 2, MADISONVILLE
Ethan Garrison, Dawson Springs, Ky.
Leevi McMillin, Morgantown, Ky.

Post 3, BOWLING GREEN
Caleb Butler, Munfordville, Ky.
Hayden Phillips, Glasgow, Ky.
Mason Roten, Cave City, Ky.
Tyler Walters, Elizabethtown, Ky.

Post 4, ELIZABETHTOWN
Kenneth Anderson, Okolona, Ky.
James Grant III, Elizabethtown, Ky.
Christopher Johnson, Bloomfield, Ky.
Lukas Jones, Louisville, Ky.

Post 5, CAMPBELLSBURG
Ryan Newman, Louisville, Ky.
Matthew Sharp, Lockport, Ky.

Post 6, DRY RIDGE
Mitchell Culbertson, Highland Heights, Ky.
Dalton Curtis, Paris, Ky.
Delaney Dees, Berea, Ky.
Louis Holguin III, Lancaster, Ky.
William Howard II, Harlan, Ky.

Post 7, RICHMOND
Zachary Leigh, Lancaster, Ky.
Seth Owens, Hustonville, Ky.

Post 8, MOREHEAD
Skylar Pelfrey, Hazard, Ky.
Christian Saylor, Brodhead, Ky.
Paul Thomas, Morehead, Ky.

Post 9, PIKEVILLE
Kyle Amburgey, Mallie, Ky.
Izaeyah Dotson, Hindman, Ky.
Keithan Hamilton, Teaberry, Ky.
Trevor Spurlock, Hazard, Ky.
Gregory Whitson, Hazard, Ky.

Post 10, HARLAN
Anthony Brown, Gray, Ky.
Benjamin Collett, Pineville, Ky.
Charles Moore, Viper, Ky.
Brian Nantz, Corbin, Ky.
James Shelton, Whitesburg, Ky.

Post 11, LONDON
Dylan Rose, Corbin, Ky.

Post 13, HAZARD
Brandon Gibson, Whitesburg, Ky.
Cullen Pennington, Hyden, Ky

.

Post 14, ASHLAND
Austin Castle, Nippa, Ky.
Jason Hall, Lexington, Ky.
Logan Layne, Dana, Ky.
Cody McDavid, Grayson, Ky.
Dallas Salyers, Ashland, Ky.

Post 15, COLUMBIA
Noah Brown, Liberty, Ky.
Joshua Smith, Campbellsville, Ky.
Trenton Tooley, Summer Shade, Ky.
Jordan Tucker, Parkers Lake, Ky.

Post 16, HENDERSON
Alena Dunaway, Owensboro, Ky.
Christopher Meador, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Samuel Mizner, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Charles Rafferty, Leitchfield, Ky.
Lukas Shephard, Beaver Dam, Ky.
Richard Thompson, Shepherdsville, Ky.

Several members of the graduating class received special recognition during the ceremony.

Trooper Richard Thompson received the ‘Ernie Bivens Award’. This honor is presented to a cadet who, in the opinion of the KSP Academy and fellow cadets, shows distinction as a leader, strives for academic excellence and has excelled in all phases of the academy’s physical and vocational training.

The class Valedictorian award, which includes a new 2023 police cruiser, was awarded to Trooper James Grant III. The Salutatorian was awarded to Trooper Trent Tooley.

Trooper Samuel Mizner received the ‘Commissioner’s Commitment to Excellence Award’. This is presented to the cadet who has demonstrated leadership, the desire to get the job done and is always determined to be the best every day.

Twenty-six cadets earned their associate degree in General Occupational and Technical Studies from the Bluegrass Community and Technical College during their 24-weeks at the training academy. These cadets benefited from the new hiring guidelines established by the state legislature in 2017. Through this revision, anyone who possesses a high school diploma or GED, and has three years of full-time work experience can apply for employment as a KSP Trooper and earn an associate degree during the training process.

Cadet Class 103 graduates who earned an associate’s degree are:
Austin Castle, Nippa, Ky.
Dalton Curtis, Paris, Ky.
James Grant III, Elizabethtown, Ky.
Louis Holguin III, Lancaster, Ky.
William Howard II, Harlan, Ky.
Christopher Johnson, Bloomfield, Ky.
Logan Layne, Dana, Ky.
Leevi McMillin, Morgantown, Ky.
Christopher Meador, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Samuel Mizner, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Brian Nantz, Corbin, Ky.
Ryan Newman, Louisville, Ky.
Seth Owens, Hustonville, Ky.
Skylar Pelfrey, Hazard, Ky.
Cullen Pennington, Hyden, Ky.
Charles Rafferty, Leitchfield, Ky.
Dylan Rose, Corbin, Ky.
Dallas Salyers, Ashland, Ky.
Christian Saylor, Brodhead, Ky.
James Shelton, Whitesburg, Ky.
Lukas Shephard, Beaver Dam, Ky.
Joshua Smith, Campbellsville, Ky.
Trevor Spurlock, Hazard, Ky.
Richard Thompson, Shepherdsville, Ky.
Kelly Underhill, Almo, Ky.
Tyler Walters, Elizabethtown, Ky.

Jul. 8, 2023

MARTINSVILLE, Ind. (WFIE) - Three Indiana State troopers are being recognized on social media after they took time out of their day to help someone in need.

Photos shared online by the Indiana State Police Jasper Post show Sergeant Michael Allen, Senior Trooper Andrew Beaver and Trooper Beau Brumett helping a driver change their tire on I-69.

Officials say the off-duty troopers were coming back from an Honor Guard detail in Indianapolis when they spotted the motorist on the side of the highway.

“Troopers may be off the clock, but we are always on duty!” says ISP Jasper Post on Facebook.

Late in the evening of July 24th, 2023, New Mexico State Police Officer Ismael Perez saw a car run a red light and quickly started pursuing the vehicle. The car was being driven by Miguel Covarrubias who was on his way to the hospital with his pregnant wife when she delivered the child in the car. They pulled into the emergency room entrance of Mimbres Memorial Hospital and Perez followed.

When Perez approached the car, he initially thought a toddler was in distress, but instead he found a newborn baby lying in the passenger seat. "As soon as I opened the door, I see a newborn baby on the seat lying there motionless,” Perez recalls, “It kind of threw me off for a slight second.” Perez noticed the baby’s umbilical cord was compressed and began performing back slaps on the newborn. Just as hospital staff ran up to them, the baby took his first breath and started crying.

The whole ordeal was captured on Perez's body camera, and now the officer, who is himself a father of three, is being hailed as a hero. And nobody feels that way more than Miguel Covarrubias. "To me, in my eyes, he's a hero,” the new dad says, “He helped me in what I would say was one of the scariest moments in my life." Perez is humbled by the experience, but he feels like he was doing what anyone would have done in his position, and he adds that he’s just glad things turned out so well.

A woman disappeared after a car crash in rural Livingston County -- and was missing for days in a cornfield.

But a Michigan State Police Trooper found her after an extensive search - just in time.

"Two steps in the corn and you’re disoriented, you have no idea where you’re at," said Trooper Jeff Schrieber.

Schrieber says that’s likely what happened to a woman he and his k-9 partner Woodson rescued on Tuesday.

The woman had been in a single-vehicle car accident and her family found her car on Sunday. She was nowhere to be found.

"I know there had been drones out, the fire department had been out searching, family members had been out searching," he said.

State police was contacted on Tuesday.

"I think it was around 84 degrees, humid, it was nasty out," Schrieber said.

They searched the massive cornfield for more than eight hours.

"So you’re going down the aisle of the corn, and the stalks are hitting you in the face," he said. "It feels like a piece of wire, it will just make cuts all over your face."

It was Woodsen who tracked down the missing woman.

"We went about three-quarters of a mile into the corn, and at that point in time, he picked up his head and he went about 75 more yards."

The 45-year-old woman was found unresponsive and was rushed to an area hospital in critical condition.

Schrieber says she likely got out of the car after she crashed — in hopes of getting help.

She has since been upgraded to stable condition.

The trooper is just thankful he and his partner found the missing woman — and says it’s a miracle she survived.

By Camille Amiri and David Komer

Published August 11, 2023

FOX 2 Detroit

The Delaware State Police Community Outreach Unit’s annual program to assist elementary school-aged children in need with the necessities for school is back! Troopers are asking for help with donations to fill each child’s backpack with school supplies.

Operation Troopers Have Your BACKpack works with local communities and organizations to collect and donate school supplies for children in need. Donations can be taken to any Troop or Delaware State Police Federal Credit Union locations by anyone wishing to help. Each location will have a box for supplies to be dropped off. The donations will be collected now until August 21, 2023, and will be distributed at the start of the school year.

Delaware State Police is thankful for the generosity from the public with this program in the past years. Please help us give the students these essential supplies for another successful school year!

August 9, 2023

MORGAN COUNTY, W.Va. — A young girl was rescued by the Maryland State Police Aviation Command Tuesday night after her car left a road and fell down a 70-foot embankment above the Cacapon River.

Maryland State Police said a 19-year-old woman was traveling on a road near the Maryland, West Virginia border when she became trapped in her car after plunging down into the ravine. Flight crews responded to the incident just after 7:35 p.m. on Power House Road in Morgan County, West Virginia.

Police said aerial rescue was needed due to the extent of the woman’s injuries, the car’s position in the ravine, and because of the steep terrain.

The woman was extricated and treated for her injuries before crews placed her in an inflatable raft. She was then floated down river to an accessible hoisting point.

From there, police said pilots on Trooper 5 from the Cumberland Section, operated an August AW139 helicopter 130-feet above the access point. A trooper/paramedic was lowered down to the woman, securing her in a patient extrication platform.

The Great Cacapon Volunteer Fire Co. and rescuers from Allegany and Washington counties assisted in the rescue mission.

The woman was flown to R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore, Maryland for further treatment.

August 4, 2023

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –Today, Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) proudly celebrates and welcomes the graduation of 72 troopers from the 151st Basic Recruit Class to the Florida law enforcement family. This class joins thousands of troopers, officers and deputies across the state who work hard to keep us safe. Congratulations to all these new troopers who chose to serve and protect and share in building a Stronger and Safer Florida.

Graduates completed 29 weeks of training, equivalent to 770 hours, beginning on January 16, 2023, and ending on August 4. Training included high liability classes, defensive tactics, firearms, vehicle operations, and first aid.

The 151st class included 23 military veterans from the U.S. Army (14), Marines (5), Navy (3), and Coast Guard (1). Additionally, nine recruits were from out of state (Georgia, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan). Additionally, nine recruits were from out of state (Georgia, New York, Texas, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Michigan).

Upon reporting to their duty stations, the new troopers will be placed with a certified Field Training Officer (FTO). Troopers will work in tandem with their FTO for 10 to 14 weeks prior to being released to solo duty.

State Troopers, known as Florida’s finest, are motivated, hard-working law enforcement officers specializing in traffic safety and enforcement, traffic crash investigation, narcotic interdiction, detection, and apprehension of impaired drivers, and searching for missing, wanted, trafficked and undocumented individuals. The women and men patrol Florida using state–of–the–art training, equipment, technology, and resources to enhance their abilities.

CHP officers in Buttonwillow, near Bakersfield, received a call on the morning of July 8 about a pregnant woman in active labor on SR-119, west of SR-43. Swiftly responding to the scene, the officers discovered the expectant mother in distress inside her car, pulled over on the roadside.

Officer Pence and Officer Krahn showcased their exceptional training as they aided the woman in labor. With remarkable expertise and composure, they successfully facilitated the delivery of a beautiful baby girl at approximately 7:32 a.m. The officers' actions ensured the safety of both the mother and the newborn.

Following the delivery, the mother and baby were promptly transported to a local hospital, where they were reported to be in good health. Photos from the scene capture the beaming officers holding the newborn, wrapped in a yellow tarp, as well as the presence of three EMS workers who assisted in the delivery.

The incredible story of CHP officers delivering a baby girl on the side of a rural road showcases their dedication, professionalism, and the impact they can have beyond their usual duties.

Their actions exemplify the importance of first responders in providing immediate assistance during emergencies. This heartwarming event will undoubtedly remain a cherished memory for the officers, the mother, and their families.

REENE COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - A missing 4-year-old child is home safe thanks to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Section, and the happy reunion was caught on camera.

The Patrol’s Aviation Section helped the Greene County Sheriff’s Office with the search for the missing child on July 20, OSHP confirmed.

OSHP said the chopper found the child on the edge of a tall field and the woods, then led deputies, troopers, and “a very grateful family to their child.”

You can see them give the chopper an excited and relieved thumbs-up when they reached the child.

The California Highway Patrol Northern Division Air Ops unit responded to several calls throughout the Northstate recently.

Starting Friday, June 30 when they assisted the Trinity County Sheriff's Office with a hoist rescue of a female with a medical issue in the Yolla Bolly mountains.

That same evening, they assisted the Tehama County Sheriff's Office with a rescue of a man and four kids that were floating down Antelope Creek in Red Bluff and were able to hoist them to safety as well.

Sergeant of Helicopter Operations for the Air Ops team Donovan Geyer explained to KRCR’s Tyler Van Dyke that they usually have little to no information when they are called to assist in these rescues by other agencies across the Northstate, so they must prepare for anything.

"Usually, those agencies will reach out to us directly and give us the information they do have and the information that they don't have. A lot of the calls that we respond to the information is pretty limited, so we go out equipped to be able to do both medical care and rescues, not knowing which of those things we are going to be doing when we get there and then whether we have partnered agencies to help us."

They also don't always have access to those agencies that can assist them.

This was the case on Saturday, July 1 when they were assisting the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office with the rescue of a woman camper that was experiencing stroke-like symptoms near Deep Lake in the Marble Mountain area.

Due to the remote terrain in the mountainous area, the Air Ops team had to do that rescue themselves without any help from the Sheriff's Office because they weren’t able to contact them.

Geyer also mentioned he is proud of the versatility his team has.

“One of the things that we enjoy or take a little bit of pride in is our program is set up to be self-encapsulated so that we can do most of the whole rescue by ourselves if need be in some of our more remote areas around the Northstate.”

LANSING, Mich. (WOOD) — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday signed a bill naming a section of highway for a Michigan State Police trooper who died in 2020 after a crash caused by a drunken driver.

A stretch of US-127 between Mason and the I-96 interchange near Lansing will be dubbed Trooper Starr Memorial Highway.

It honors Trooper Caleb Starr. On July 10, 2020, a drunken driver crossed the centerline of Grand River Avenue west of Nash Highway near Saranac and hit Starr’s cruiser head-on. He died three weeks later. At age 33, he left behind a wife and two young daughters.

“Michigan owes a debt of gratitude to Michigan State Trooper Caleb Starr,” Rep. Kara Hope, D-Holt, who sponsored the memorial highway bill, said in a Wednesday statement released by the governor’s office. “He and his family deserve this token of our appreciation and more for Trooper Starr’s public service and sacrifice.”