42 Wisconsin State Patrol cadets become officers at graduation ceremony

The Wisconsin State Patrol’s 66^th Recruit Class was officially sworn into duty during a graduation ceremony in La Crosse on Friday, July 30.

The 42 new officers recently completed 26 weeks of comprehensive training. The courses covered traffic and criminal laws, emergency vehicle operations, firearms proficiency, communications, crisis management and lifesaving skills.

Governor Tony Evers joined in the ceremony to help celebrate the new generation of officers.

“From responding to emergencies on the road, to promoting safe driving practices, to building relationships with the communities they serve, the State Patrol does important work to keep Wisconsinites and visitors safe as they travel across our state,” Governor Evers said. “I extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to the 66th Recruit Class as they join the Wisconsin State Patrol.”

State Patrol officers serve in a variety of roles, including crash reconstruction experts, airplane and drone pilots, dignitary protection, K-9 and motorcycle officers.

State Patrol Superintendent Anthony Burrell is welcoming the new troopers to his team of nearly 500 sworn officers.

“It takes a unique individual to dedicate themselves to serving others, to complete such a rigorous course of preparation, and to put themselves in harm’s way to keep others safe,” Superintendent Burrell said.

State Patrol officers play a crucial role in protecting the public. They support highway safety by enforcing traffic laws, responding to incidents, helping stranded drivers, inspecting commercial motor vehicles, and working to combat illegal drugs and human trafficking.

“State Patrol officers are on the front line of highway safety, working to discourage risky driving and to encourage drivers to obey the law. That crucial mission has never been more important than it is right now,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said.

Despite a decrease in traffic on the roads during the pandemic, Wisconsin – like many other states – has seen an increase in dangerous driving behavior and crashes in the past year and a half.

Last year, Wisconsin State Patrol officers made more than 166,000 traffic stops, provided help to more than 33,000 drivers, and inspected almost 28,000 commercial motor vehicles.

After graduating from the State Patrol Academy at Ft. McCoy, new officers are assigned to one of the State Patrol’s seven regional posts. The State Patrol’s next recruit class starts training in January 2022. Learn more about State Patrol career opportunities on the WisDOT website.

These are the new officers of the State Patrol’s 66th Recruit Class, their hometowns and assignments:

Graduate	Hometown	Assignment
Michael R. Abraham	La Crosse, WI	Dunn County Trooper
Jesus O. Aguilar	Kenosha, WI	Kenosha County Trooper
David J.W. Arndt	Janesville, WI	Rock County Trooper
Daniel M Ayala	Genoa City, WI	South Dane Trooper
Paul J. Barrette	Marshall, WI	Jefferson County Trooper
Brad J. Boettner	Sheboygan, WI	Outagamie County Trooper
Kyle W. Braun	Millston, WI	Jackson County Trooper
Carlin M. Brien	Lake Mills, WI	Waukesha County Trooper
Hayden K. Brown	Chicago, IL	North Dane County Trooper
John H.M. Corey	Palmyra, WI	Waukesha County Trooper
Lucas De Santana Gavioli	Curitiba, Brazil	Columbia County Trooper
Jose I. Del Rio Avina	Green Bay, WI	North Dane County Trooper
Travis S. Eickstedt	West Bend, WI	Winnebago County Trooper
Jordan J. Herman	Wisconsin Rapids, WI	Monroe County Trooper
Lawrence J. Horwood	Wantage, England	South Dane Trooper
Eric J. Jende	Cudahy, WI	Kenosha County Trooper
Brandon J. Jensen	Chippewa Falls, WI	St. Croix County Trooper
Marah A. Kernosky	Wausau, WI	Fond du Lac County Trooper
Christopher K. Kile	Menomonie, WI	Eau Claire County Trooper
Thomas A. Lemanski	West Bend, WI	Kenosha County Trooper
Alexander J. Lintner	Waterford, WI	Kenosha County Trooper
Justin T. Luangaram	Monroe, WI	South Dane Trooper
James R. Martin	Oshkosh, WI	Washington County Trooper
Zakary R. McArdle	Verona, WI	South Dane Trooper
Jared D. Miller	Appleton, WI	Outagamie County Trooper
Chase A. Morris	Chippewa Falls, WI	St. Croix County Trooper
Nicholas C. Nitka	Green Bay, WI	Waushara County Trooper
Darren M. Reid	Stevens Point, WI	Outagamie County Trooper
Jeffrey J. Repaal	Tomah, WI	Juneau County Trooper
Jacob T. Salamonski	Green Bay, WI	Sauk County Trooper
David L. Schwoerer	Columbus, WI	Columbia County Trooper
Cory F. Sotka	Peshtigo, WI	Fond du Lac County Trooper
Scott L. Sternweis	Appleton, WI	Washburn County Trooper
Demitrius L. Tann	Valdosta, GA	Racine County Trooper
Raymond F. Tolliver	Amery, WI	St. Croix County Trooper
Brandon D. Treider	Milwaukee, WI	Kenosha County Trooper
Caleb W. Truax	Ellsworth, WI	Marinette County Trooper
Wameng Vang	Oshkosh, WI	North Dane County Trooper
Aaron M. Yang	Tomah, WI	Monroe County Trooper
David H. Yang	La Crosse, WI	North Dane County Trooper
Alexander J. Zimmerle	Normal, IL	Winnebago County Trooper
Dettrick J. Zimmerman	Blanchardville, WI	North Dane County Trooper

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.