Meet Georgia’s Newest State Troopers

September 8, 2023
1 min read
The Gist: The newest batch of Georgia State Troopers completed their 32-week training journey, graduating in a ceremony featuring an address by Governor Brian Kemp. Four standout graduates received special honors, while the second annual Patrick Dupree Leadership Award marked a poignant moment for the occasion.

The Gist: The newest batch of Georgia State Troopers completed their 32-week training journey, graduating in a ceremony featuring an address by Governor Brian Kemp. Four standout graduates received special honors, while the second annual Patrick Dupree Leadership Award marked a poignant moment for the occasion.

What Happened?: The Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth was a hive of pride and anticipation on September 8, as 37 new Troopers joined the ranks of the Georgia State Patrol. The 114th Trooper School graduation ceremony showcased remarks by key figures, including Governor Brian Kemp and Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, Lt. Colonel Billy Hitchens.

By The Numbers:

  • 32 weeks of rigorous training
  • 37 new Troopers
  • 1,400-plus hours of diverse training, far surpassing the state-required 408 hours
  • Four special proficiency honors awarded

Why It Matters: This is about more than uniforms and patrol cars. These Troopers go through intense training to protect and serve Georgia communities. They’re well above the state-required 408 hours of Basic Mandate Training by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. These officers are proficient in everything from criminal law to Spanish.

Special Honors:

  • Driving Proficiency: Douglas Hughes
  • Firearms Proficiency: Aaron Guillaume
  • Top Gun and Highest Academic Average: Jacob Stansell
    Stansell, who scored an academic average of 98.07, also received the CPL Chadwick LeCroy scholarship for higher education.

In Memoriam: The Patrick Dupree Leadership Award went to Trooper Robert Merrell. The award gains special prominence this year, marking the passing of Cadet Patrick Dupree, who died on the very date of this graduation last year during training.

What’s Next? The new Troopers will soon hit the roads and highways of Georgia, reporting to one of the 52 patrol posts around the state. Their journey, in the words of Class President Andy Benjamin, is “truly just beginning.”

The Troopers: Here are Georgia’s newest state troopers.

Trooper’s NameHometownAssigned Post
Justus AliceaRichmond County, GAPost 25-Grovetown
Rachel AndersonHouston County, GAPost 15-Perry
Derrickal BellMitchell County, GAPost 48-Atlanta
Andy Benjamin Jr.Evans County, GAPost 16-Hazelhurst
James ByrneHarris County, GAPost 2-LaGrange
Jimmy CenescarOrange County, FL.Post 9-Marietta
Levi ChampionPickens County, GAPost 3-Cartersville
Calvin CobbTattnall County, GAPost 18-Reidsville
Rebecca CrawfordGwinnett County, GAPost 6-Gainesville
Tyrique FullerLee County, ALPost 24-Newnan
Aaron GuillaumeMuscogee County, GAPost -LaGrange
Karson GunkleCollier County, FLPost 9-Marietta
Johnathan HammondConecuh County, ALPost 21-Sylvania
Russell Holman IVForsyth County, GAPost 37-Cumming
Andrae’ HolmesBibb County, GAPost 44-Forsyth
Douglas Hughes Jr.Forsyth County, GAPost 32-Athens
Devin HunterStevens County, GAPost 07-Toccoa
Greer HussOrange County, FL.Post 27-Blue Ridge
Jonathon KingCatoosa County, GAPost 5-Dalton
Alfred McCoyBibb County, GAPost 15-Perry
Levi McMurtryColumbia County, GAPost 25-Grovetown
Robert Merrell Jr.Dooly County, GAPost 44-Forsyth
Gunner MetcalfBuncombe County, NCPost 23-Brunswick
David NailorShasta County, CAPos 31-Valdosta
Ignacio OrozcoOkeechobee, FLPost 43-Calhoun
James O’ShieldsGordon County, GAPost 05-Dalton
Timothy RobinsonRockdale County, GAPost 46-Monroe
Seth RominePickens County, GAPost 05-Dalton
Reggie ShepherdCook County, ILPost 48-Atlanta
Tyreke SimsBrooks County, GAPost 10-Americus
William Smith IVLamar County, GAPost 52-Hartwell
Jacob StansellBulloch County, GAPost 45-Statesboro
Donald TerryWorth County, GAPost 40-Albany
Gregory TerryGwinnett County, GAPost 51-Gwinnett
James Trivigno Jr.Wayne County, NYPost 24-Newnan
Jerry Verrill Jr.Suffolk County, MAPost 21-Sylvania
Walter Wyatt Jr.Lamar County, GAPost 1-Griffin

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