Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov

*** For Immediate Release***

Date: March 16, 2011
Contact: Sergeant Freddy Williams
Phone: (360) 426-1661, ext. 103
E-mail: Freddy.Williams@wsp.wa.gov

98th Washington State Patrol Basic Training Class Graduates

At a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda this afternoon, 45 Washington State Patrol Troopers were sworn in by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Barbara Madsen, and presented their commission cards by Governor Christine Gregoire and Chief John R. Batiste, who welcomed them into an organization known and trusted by the citizens of Washington State.

After completing over 1000 hours of training, these men and woman will join Washington’s premier law enforcement organization.  The Washington State Patrol Academy only produces approximately three cadet classes each biennium, which accounts for about 120 new troopers.  Historically, only about four to six percent of the total numbers of applicants make the grade to become WSP Troopers. 

“The 45 cadets graduating today endured a rigorous application process, extensive background investigation, and received the best training, unmatched anywhere else in the nation,” said Chief John Batiste.  “Today, they will join the ranks of Washington’s finest, as troopers of the Washington State Patrol.”

A tradition that started almost 90 years ago on June 21, 1921, when six brave men kick-started their Harley Davidson motorcycles, strapped on an arm band, and started a proud tradition known today as the Washington State Patrol.  The tradition continues to this day with the graduation of the 98th Trooper Basic Training Class today at the Capitol Rotunda, signaled by the stream of shiny white patrol cars parked in the lanes leading up to the capitol steps.

During the ceremony, the Core Values Award was presented to Trooper Kurt E. Borggard.  This award is presented to the trooper cadet who most typifies the Training Division Core Values, which include Honesty, Integrity, Team-Orientation, Attention to Detail, Adaptability, Self-Discipline, Performance-Driven, Professionalism, Officer Safety, and Sense of Urgency.  The recipient of this award is determined by an anonymous vote of his/her classmates, and is sponsored by the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation to honor the most recent State Patrol employee to give their life in service to the citizens of the state of Washington.  Trooper Jim Saunders was killed in the line of duty on October 7, 1999, and this award was presented today in his honor.  Trooper Saunders’ wife, Billie, presented the award to Trooper Borggard.

In addition to this award, Chief Batiste presented six trooper cadets with awards at a ceremony held on March 15th during an open house at the WSP Academy.  These awards included:

Top Driving Award
Presented to Trooper Michael S. Huhta; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency with respect to driving skills and techniques, decision-making and mind-set, and steady and constant improvement through each phase of driver training (104 hours).

Top Firearms Award
Presented to Trooper Patrick L. Lockwood; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency with all weapon systems, marksmanship scores and skills, and demonstration of sound judgment during practical encounter scenarios (110 hours).

Top Fitness Award
Presented to Trooper Edgar R. Peña-Sanchez; this award recognizes the highest level of drive and tenacity in physical fitness testing and training, and control tactics training. Trooper Peña-Sanchez led the way by out-scoring his classmates repeatedly, and scoring above 90% in every event, every time he was tested.  

Top Academic Award
Presented to Trooper Krista J. Greydanus; this award recognizes the outstanding efforts of the cadet who attains the highest Grade Point Average compiled from over 30 tests and quizzes during training.   The class average GPA for the 97th Trooper Basic Training Class was 89%; Trooper Greydanus GPA was an impressive 95%.

Top Collision Investigation Award
Presented to Trooper Aliso E. Lowen; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency regarding collision investigation, including mathematical computation, scene investigation, information and evidence gathering, report writing, and teamwork (64 hours).

Top Overall Cadet Award
Presented to Trooper Michael S. Huhta; this award recognizes the trooper cadet who demonstrated great courage to overcome obstacles, unwavering dedication to stay focused on reaching their goals, and their ability to give 100% in every aspect of their training.  Trooper Huhta demonstrated the necessary skills, abilities, and judgment to be an excellent trooper, and made extra efforts to continuously make improvements.

Listed below are the newest WSP Troopers, their initial assignment, and their hometown.

CADET NAME

ASSIGNMENT

HOMETOWN

Barry, Jason D.

Tacoma

Yakima, WA

Bidot, Pedro, jr.

Yakima

Olympia, WA

Bolen, Sandra A.

Tacoma

Graham, WA

Borggard, Kurt E.

Port Townsend

Bremerton, WA

Brantley, Robert E.

Tacoma

Roy, WA

Bryant, John P.

Yakima

Ellensburg, WA

Carr, Branson W.

Tacoma

Lacey, WA

Ellis, Robert E.

Bellevue

Puyallup, WA

Flores-Chambers, Seth E.

Yakima

Vancouver, WA

Gerrer, Ernest W.

Marysville

Marysville, WA

Glaze, James A.

Marysville

Ruston, WA

Gort, Stuart K.

Marysville

Granite Falls, WA

Greydanus, Krista J.

Bellevue

Bozeman, MT

Harris, Lawrence M.

Marysville

Everett, WA

Hicks, Tara L.

Hoquiam

Silver Creek, WA

Holmes, Jarid C.

Bellingham

Lake Stevens, WA

Huhta, Michael S.

Marysville

Longview, WA

Israel, Todd B.

Marysville

Lynnwood, WA

Iverson, Camron K.

Basin

Royal City, WA

James, Phillip J.

Bellevue

Snohomish, WA

Kelly, Matthew A.

Sunnyside

Edgewood, WA

Kesler, Brandon J.

Naselle

Vancouver, WA

Kottong, Christopher A.

Basin

Warden, WA

Krajcar, Jonathan J.

Monroe

Vancouver, WA

Krenelka, Melody C.

Tacoma

Winlock, WA

Lockwood, Patrick L.

Yakima

Spokane, WA

Lowen, Aliso E.

Bellevue

Tacoma, WA

Macomber, Nicholas B.

Naselle

Napavine, WA

Magill, Timothy I.

Hoquiam

Olalla, WA

McKinley, Kenneth J.

Bellevue

Bonney Lake, WA

Merritt, Daniel L.

Hoquiam

Tumwater, WA

Merwin, Christopher S.

Oak Harbor

Longview, WA

Osborn, Corey J.

Bellevue

Seattle, WA

Paine, Brian L.

Tacoma

Puyallup, WA

Palm, Steve C.

Marysville

Everett, WA

Peña-Sanchez, Edgar R.

Bellevue

Lynnwood, WA

Reno, Joseph R.

Sunnyside

Kent, WA

Richardson, Adam W.

Shelton

Vancouver, WA

Seymour, Christopher A.

Tacoma

Olympia, WA

Shutler-Cruz, Lindsey L.

Bellevue

Winnipeg, MB

Taylor, Kevin I.

Shelton

Milton, WA

Townsend, Steven C.

Monroe

Kelso, WA

Walson, Ryan C.

Tacoma

Tumwater, WA

Walwark, Daniel R.

Shelton

Olympia, WA

Worley, Louis R.

Tacoma

Tacoma, WA


Photos of each cadet are available upon request.  If you would like a photo, please contact the Office of Government and Media Relations (360) 596-4010.

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