Thirty-Nine Cadets Join the Ranks of the Georgia State Patrol 

For Immediate Release:

March 8, 2024            

(FORSYTH, GA) – The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) graduated its 115th Trooper School Friday, March 8, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth. After 32 weeks of intense training, 39 new Troopers will report to one of 52 patrol posts around the state.

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered the graduation address and gave the Oath of Office. Additional remarks were provided by Colonel Billy Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Captain Craig Singletary, Director of Training.

Trooper Cadets spend 20 weeks at the academy and 12 weeks training in the field. The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requires all peace officers to receive a minimum of 408 hours of Basic Mandate Training. After completing Trooper School, the graduates have received more than 1,400 hours of training including driving, defensive tactics, vehicle stops, Spanish, criminal law and criminal procedure, firearms, accident investigation, and various other training.

During remarks to his fellow class members Trooper Kenneth Williams, class president, reflected on the group’s journey through Trooper School. 

“Those hard and exhausting moments led us to where we are today,” said Williams. “In the words of Kirby Smart, “When you step on that field, it’s not just about you. It’s about your teammates, your coaches, your family, and all those that supported you along the way.” “Remember your why, 115th be proud, be vigilant, and be safe!” Williams added.

In addition to Williams, other class officers include Trooper Joshua Webster, Vice President; Trooper Keith Jones, Secretary and Treasurer; Trooper Garrett Jones, Chaplain; Trooper Isaiah Francois, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Trooper Timothy Pattison, Pennant Bearer.

Four graduates received special honors for top performance in various proficiencies. The honorees were:

• Driving Proficiency – Trooper Daniel Pendleton
• Firearms Proficiency – Trooper Austin Scott
• Top Gun – Trooper Daniel Pendleton
• Highest Academic Average – Trooper Christian Clark

Trooper Clark who had a 98.15 academic average, received the Cpl. Chadwick LeCroy scholarship to use toward obtaining a degree from Reinhardt University. Cpl. Chadwick LeCroy, a GSP Trooper, was killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2010.

Trooper Zackary Herrington received the second annual Patrick Dupree Leadership Award which is presented to the cadet that showed leadership throughout the entire class, even though he/she was not the class president. Trooper Cadet Dupree passed away Thursday, September 8, 2022, after performing a training exercise along with other members of the 113th Trooper School at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.
 

Each commissioned Trooper will report to the following assigned post: