Georgia State Patrol Graduates Twenty-two Troopers to Join their Ranks

For Immediate Release:
March 14, 2025

(FORSYTH, GA) – The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) graduated its 118th Trooper School Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth. After 34 weeks of intense training, 22 new Troopers will report to one of 52 patrol posts around the state.

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

Trooper Cadets spend 22 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 Logan South, class president, reflected on the group's journey through Trooper School. 

“In times of adversity, you have a choice: you can let your challenges break you, or you can choose to rise, to build strength from them, and to lead others by example. The world needs leaders who have faced the storms, who know what it feels like to struggle, and who are brave enough to keep moving forward,” challenged South. “Because when you overcome adversity, you don't just grow, you inspire others to do the same," South added. 

Class officers include Trooper William Cowan, Vice President; Trooper Derek Snead, Chaplain; Trooper Bryant Miller, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Trooper Jeremiah Reed, Pennant Bearer. 

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

Driving Proficiency – Trooper William Cowan
Firearms Proficiency – Trooper Christopher Hanley
Top Gun – Trooper Keith Black
Highest Academic Average – Trooper William Cowan

Trooper Cowan who had a 96.9 academic average, received the Cpl. Chadwick LeCroy scholarship to use toward obtaining a degree from Reinhardt University. This scholarship is in honor of Cpl. Chadwick LeCroy, a GSP Trooper, killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2010.

Trooper Rickie Glenn, Jr. received the Patrick Dupree Leadership Award, presented to the cadet who showed leadership throughout the entire class, even though they were not chosen as 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.

The 22 newly graduated Troopers are assigned to one of 52 patrol posts throughout the state.