Governor Evers welcomes 16 new Wisconsin State Patrol officers
New troopers and inspectors recently completed 26 weeks of comprehensive training
Governor Tony Evers helped swear-in 16 new Wisconsin State Patrol officers during a graduation ceremony Friday in La Crosse. Members of the State Patrol’s 64th Recruit Class recently completed 26 weeks of comprehensive training that began September 16, 2018 at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy.
“We are extremely grateful for all the dedicated men and women who serve in uniform, including the new State Patrol troopers and inspectors we’re honoring today,” Governor Evers said. “All those who serve in the military and in law enforcement provide a tremendous service to their state and nation by helping keep the rest of us safe.”
The recent graduates have been assigned to work from one of the State Patrol’s seven regional posts. A total of 13 will begin their service as troopers with three working as inspectors. Troopers and inspectors have similar law enforcement authorities and frequently are patrolling highways, enforcing traffic laws and assisting stranded motorists. Inspectors receive additional training related to federal motor carrier regulations impacting large trucks, buses and other commercial motor vehicles, and often work at one of the state’s 13 Safety and Weight Enforcement Facilities.
State Patrol officers serve in many other roles including crash reconstruction experts, airplane pilots, dignitary protection, K-9 and motorcycle officers. Last year, Wisconsin State Patrol officers made 225,111 traffic stops, handled 39,525 motorist assists, and inspected 36,592 commercial motor vehicles. A recruitment effort is currently underway for the next State Patrol cadet class that will begin training this fall. The application deadline is March 31, 2019.
“At the Wisconsin DOT, we have many responsibilities, but just one primary mission: public safety,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation Secretary-designee Craig Thompson said. “The outstanding men and women of the Wisconsin State Patrol are at the forefront of that mission and we thank them for their service.”
During their comprehensive, six-month training at the State Patrol Academy, State Patrol cadets learn about traffic and criminal laws, emergency vehicle operations and lifesaving skills, firearms proficiency, communications and crisis management.
Below is a list of the new officers, their hometowns, positions and assignments.
Wisconsin State Patrol 64th Recruit Class
| Graduate | Hometown | Classification | Assignment/State Patrol Post |
| Grant Berner | Sauk City, WI | Trooper | Juneau County, SWR/Tomah |
| Cameron Doute | Kiel, WI | Trooper | Fond du Lac County, NER |
| Adam Edwards | Superior, WI | Inspector | Douglas County, NWR/Spooner, Superior SWEF |
| Justin Goldnick | Prior Lake, MN | Trooper | Washington County, SER |
| Tigran Grigoryev | Germantown, WI | Trooper | Waukesha County, SER |
| Joshua Lawyer | Rockton, IL | Inspector | Sauk County, SWR/DeForest |
| Thomas Monroe | Boscobel, WI | Trooper | Dane County, SWR/DeForest |
| William Purcell | Eau Claire, WI | Trooper | Jackson County, NWR/Eau Claire |
| Kevin Riordan | Elgin, IL | Inspector | Dane County, SWR/DeForest |
| Joshua Sasse | Two Rivers, WI | Trooper | Outagamie County, NER |
| Brody Schmitz | Sparta, WI | Trooper | Jackson County, NWR/Eau Claire |
| Anna Schopp | Bremen, Germany | Trooper | Waukesha County, SER |
| Joshua Shipman | Colfax, WI | Trooper | Jackson County, NWR/Eau Claire |
| Timothy Westphal | Minocqua, WI | Trooper | Sauk County, SWR/DeForest |
| David White | Appleton, WI | Trooper | Winnebago County, NER |
| Damian Wood | Independence, WI | Trooper | St. Croix County, NWR/Eau Claire |
SWR = Southwest Region
SER = Southeast Region
NER = Northeast Region
NCR = Northcentral Region
NWR = Northwest Region
SWEF = Safety and Weight Enforcement Facility
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.
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