Tennessee Highway Patrol Graduates 45 New State Troopers
NASHVILLE --- Gov. Bill Haslam’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams today served as the keynote speaker for the Tennessee Highway Patrol’s graduation ceremony at the War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville. Forty-five trooper cadets earned their badges in the special ceremony that was held on state capitol grounds for the first time.
Commissioner Bill Gibbons and THP Colonel Tracy Trott also made remarks at the graduation. Captain Robert Bighem, who oversees the Training Division, served as Master of Ceremony.
The 45 new state troopers, also known as Cadet Class 615, took their oaths of office after completing 20 weeks of intense physical and classroom training at the THP Training Center. Forty-six percent of the graduating class had previous law enforcement experience and 31 percent are veterans.
“Congratulations to all of the trooper cadets graduating today,” Adams said. “This evening, you officially become a member of one of the most respected, the most advanced and the most forward thinking state law enforcement agencies in the country.”
“Each one of you has earned this incredible honor of being chosen to serve as a Tennessee state trooper,” Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. You are the best of the best, chosen from more than 1,600 applicants. Congratulations on this accomplishment, and represent us well as one of Tennessee’s finest.”
Trooper Mariah Woodman was named the top cadet and presented the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence for his leadership, work ethic and academics. She is the first female to earn this honor. The award was named in honor of the late Trooper Jenks, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2007. Trooper Woodman will serve in Crocket County in the THP’s Memphis District.
“We are proud to honor the first female with the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence,” Colonel Trott said. “It’s a remarkable compliment to be viewed by your instructors and peers as a leader. We know that you will continue to excel on the roadways and serve Tennessee with professionalism and pride.”
Bethel University also presented one $5,000 scholarship to Trooper Isaiah Lloyd. Trooper Lloyd will serve in Anderson County of the Knoxville District.
As part of their community service, Cadet Class 615, whose motto is “Sacrifice Self, Honor Others,” participated in two blood drives with the American Red Cross, collected over 900 canned goods for donation, and gifted funds to the Frankie Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000) and Sgt. Joshua Mabe’s family ($350), who was killed in an off-duty farming accident in Hancock County on June 6.
The new graduates will now advance to a maximum of 10 weeks of field training.
The new trooper assignments are attached. Photographs of the graduating troopers are available upon request.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security's (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.