Wisconsin Department of Transportation
Press Release

42 Wisconsin State Patrol cadets become officers at graduation ceremony

 

By - Jul 30th, 2021 01:40 pm

The Wisconsin State Patrol’s 66th 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. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.

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