30 Troopers Report For Duty Following Graduation

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ATLANTA, GA -- On April 16, 30 newly minted troopers with the Georgia State Patrol reported to their assigned posts following the completion of the agency's 97th Trooper School.

The graduation took place March 18 at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth after 31 weeks of intense training.

Gov. Nathan Deal was the keynote speaker, and additional remarks were made by Department of Public Safety Commissioner Colonel Mark W. McDonough and Director of Training Capt. Scott Woodell. The Oath of Office was issued by The Honorable Brian Rickman of the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Trooper cadets spend 18 weeks at the academy, 12 weeks in field training, and returned to the academy for one week of preparation for graduation.

The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, or POST, requires all peace officers receive a minimum of 400 hours of Basic Mandate Training. Upon completion of Trooper School, these newly graduated trooper cadets received over 1,500 hours of training, including driving, defensive tactics, vehicle stops, Spanish, criminal law and criminal procedure, firearms, accident investigation, and various other training which includes child passenger safety technician certification.

During remarks to his fellow class members, class president Tpr. Jeffery L. Wilkerson, reflected on their time at the academy, the bond they created and the importance of their roles as Georgia state troopers.

Four of the graduates also received special honors for top performance in various fields of study:

• Highest Firearms Proficiency – Tpr. Michael T. Moores
• Highest Driving Proficiency – Tpr. James A. Fuller
• Highest Academic Average – Tpr. Jamie N. Quinn
• Top Gun – Tpr. Larry G. J. Ray

Tpr. Jamie Quinn was awarded for maintaining the highest academic average. He received a $1,000 scholarship towards a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Reinhardt University. Tpr. Quinn maintained a 98.2 academic average.

Additionally, the following graduates were recognized for their leadership: Tpr. Jonathan E. Fetchik, vice president; Tpr. Brent Sanford, secretary/treasurer; Tpr. Jeffery L. Wilkerson, sergeant-at-arms; Tpr. Darren D. Heard, pennant bearer; Tpr. Lindsey R. Barber, pennant base bearer; Aaron R. Degourville, chaplain; Jonathan E. Fetchik, 1st squad leader; and Nicholas A. Simpson, 2nd squad leader.

Each newly commissioned trooper was assigned to one of the 52 posts throughout the state. Those assignments were:

• Lindsey R. Barber, Post 24-Newnan
• Jonathan M. Bradley, Post 52-Hartwell
• Brandon C. Byrd, Post 49-Motor Unit
• Christopher S. Campbell, Post 6-Gainesville
• Aaron J. Chappell, Post 49-Motor Unit
• Jonathan W. Day, Post 9-Marietta
• Jackson R. Dean, Post 6-Gainesville
• Aaron R. Degourville, Post 37-Cumming
• John P. Donaldson, Post 24-Newnan
• Bradley K. Eagler, Post 25-Grovetown
• Jonathan E. Fetchik, Post 15-Perry
• James A. Fuller, Post 4-Villa Rica
• Brandon H. Gandy, Post 25-Grovetown
• Joshua D. Gunter, Post 4-Villa Rica
• Kevin S. Harrell, Post 25-Grovetown
• Darren D. Heard, Post 14-Colquitt
• Joshua J. Janufka, Post 42-Rincon
• David A. Kraeling, Post 6-Gainesville
• Jack L. Moore, III, Post 6-Gainesville
• Michael T. Moores, Post 4-Villa Rica
• Christopher G. Pletcher, Post 9-Marietta
• Stephen A. Pritchett, Post 13-Tifton
• Jamie N. Quinn, Post 11-Hinesville
• Larry G. J. Ray, Post 52-Hartwell
• Brent Sanford, Post 49-Motor Unit
• Nicholas A. Simpson, Post 21-Sylvania
• William A. Thomas, III, Post 8-Madison
• Joseph M. Vincent, Jr., Post 4-Villa Rica
• Jeffery L. Wilkerson, Post 49-Motor Unit
• Austin A. Wynn, Post 25-Grovetown

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Image via Georgia Department of Public Safety