Marion Man Among Recent Highway Patrol Graduates

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 154th Academy Class graduated Friday after 22 weeks of intense paramilitary training. Among the graduates was Michael A. Woods of Marion who has been assigned to the Bucyrus Post.

The keynote address was provided by Senator Keith Faber, Ohio Senate President. Additional remarks were provided by Director Thomas P. Charles, Ohio Department of Public Safety; Colonel John Born, Patrol Superintendent and Captain Brigette Charles, Academy Commandant. The Oath of Office was issued by Judge Peter B. Abele, Fourth Appellate District, Ohio Court of Appeals.

Courses completed by the 154th class included Core Values, crash investigation, criminal and traffic law, detection of impaired drivers, firearms, physical fitness, self-defense and emergency vehicle operations.

Tpr. Daniel J. Schritter, South Point, Ohio was selected as class speaker and thanked the Academy and cadet family members for being supportive during their training.

Three of the graduates received special honors for top performance in various fields of study at the Patrol Academy. The honorees were:

• Overall performance – Tpr. Justin P. Lister, Rodman, New York
• Top performance in academics – Tpr. Clayton A. Grubb, Cleveland, Ohio
• Top performance in driving – Tpr. Aaron M. Ross, Somerset, Kentucky
• Top performance in firearms – Tpr. Justin P. Lister, Rodman, New York
• Top performance in physical fitness – Tpr. Justin P. Lister, Rodman, New York

Additionally, the following cadets were recognized for their leadership:  Tpr. Daniel J. Schritter, South Point, Ohio; Tpr. Cody K. Quattlebaum, Chesterhill, Ohio; and Tpr. Brittany N. Kenney, Sabina, Ohio.

Each of the commissioned troopers will report to their posts on Monday, April 8. The graduates’ first 60 working days will be a field-training period under the guidance of a veteran officer. The new graduates are assigned to 35 of the Patrol’s 58 posts.

The following is the graduating class roster.