(Skip to article)

(Photos: Top Left: Commissioner Fred Phillips speaks to the Cadet Class at the THP cadet graduation ceremony. Top Right: Cadet Class 505 President Joshua Brown addresses his fellow classmates. Middle Left: Colonel Lynn Pitts welcomes the new graduates into the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Middle Right: Deputy Commissioner Tom Moore speaks to the newest members of the Highway Patrol. Bottom: State Attorney General Paul Summers delivers the keynote address to Trooper Cadets.)

Nashville, Tennessee --- Fifty-two new Troopers are protecting the state's roadways. The Tennessee Department of Safety has graduated the 2005 class of the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 2005 class, comprised of 48 men and four women, completed four months of extensive law enforcement training. Tennessee Department of Safety Commissioner Fred Phillips said, "Each recruit was schooled in criminal justice, firearms use, DUI detection, human relations and other skills necessary to properly perform the duties of a State Trooper. They are among some of the best-trained officers in the nation, and they have joined one of the most professional law enforcement agencies anywhere."

Tennessee Attorney General Paul Summers delivered the keynote address at the graduation ceremony, held May 19 at Two Rivers Baptist Church in Donelson. Summers challenged the new officers to remember the trust given to them by the public. "Think of the letters T-H-P as standing for trust, honor and pride," Summers said. "By being trustworthy, you encourage people to go to someone in uniform when they need help. You must honor your profession, and you must be proud to put on that uniform every day."

Tennessee Highway Patrol Colonel Lynn Pitts said, "Tennesseans and visitors to our state depend on Troopers to keep the roads safe. These men and women have kept a grueling schedule to make it to graduation. The curriculum is tough, but those who are graduating today have succeeded and will now play an important role in protecting everyone in Tennessee ."

A list of the new troopers, and the counties to which they are assigned, follows.

Tennessee Highway Patrol : Trooper Class of 2005

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.