Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer on Friday served as the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony for the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s trooper cadet class in Hermitage. 50 state troopers earned their badges at the Hermitage Hills Baptist Church this morning.
“Congratulations to the graduates of Cadet Class 614 and to your families who have supported you through the 19 weeks of training. Being a state trooper is a great honor, and an even greater responsibility,” Commissioner Schroer said.
Seventy-two prospective troopers reported to the THP Cadet Academy on Feb. 2. After more than 1,000 hours of extensive classroom and law enforcement training, 50 state troopers began their service to Tennessee on Friday.
“I am proud to welcome 50 new members to the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Of the graduates, 26 individuals have previous law enforcement experience, 17 have higher education degrees and eight are military veterans. They truly are Tennessee’s finest,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. Mr. Gibbons heads the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
Cadet Class 614 exhibited their class motto, “Do Justly, Love Mercifully, Walk Humbly,” by participating in several community service projects during the five-month training. The trooper cadets donated over $750 to the Butterfly Fund, which supports research, treatment and services dedicated to the defeat of childhood cancers; held two blood drives and collected and shipped care packages to military service members.
“The heart of the Tennessee Highway Patrol is of service,” Colonel Trott said. “I am pleased at the work they have done as trooper cadets and am looking forward to the impact they will make as state troopers in Tennessee. My message to them is to strive for greatness in their assigned districts, serve the public with pride and to stay safe,” he added.
Trooper Brandon Rogers was named the top cadet and presented the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence for his leadership, work ethic and academics. The award was named in honor of the late Trooper Jenks, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2007. Trooper Rogers will serve in Shelby County in the THP Memphis District.
The new graduates will now advance to a maximum of 10 weeks of field training.
A list of the new troopers and their assigned counties can be found on the following link: http://www.tn.gov/safety/thp/class614.shtml