21 New Troopers Join Virginia State Police to Serve and Protect

On Friday, August 23, 2024, Virginia State Police proudly welcomed 21 new troopers into its ranks. These graduates, representing the 141st generation of Virginia State Troopers, were honored in a ceremony held at the State Police Training Academy in North Chesterfield County. The event, which began at 10 a.m., featured the Honorable Winsome Earle-Sears, Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, as the keynote speaker.

Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police, praised the new troopers for their commitment and the rigorous training they endured. “It is always a great day when we add quality, upstanding men and women to our ranks,” Settle said. “Our recruiting staff is committed to ensuring the citizens of Virginia have the strongest department possible, with troopers who possess the highest levels of professionalism.”

Rigorous Training Prepares Troopers

The 141st Basic Session, which began on January 29, 2024, saw these troopers undergo 28 weeks of intensive training. The program included over 1,300 classroom and field instruction hours covering more than 100 subjects. These areas ranged from de-escalation techniques and mental health crisis intervention to ethics, leadership, and constitutional law. The trainees also received advanced training in emergency medical trauma care, public and community relations, and fair and impartial policing.

The comprehensive nature of this training is designed to equip troopers with the skills needed to handle the diverse and challenging situations they will face in the field. The soon-to-be graduates of the 141st Basic Session hailed from various regions, including Virginia and states like California, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Assignments Across the Commonwealth

Upon graduation, these troopers will be assigned to various locations across Virginia, from the bustling streets of Arlington to the rural areas of Bedford and Augusta counties. As part of their final training phase, each trooper will spend six additional weeks paired with a Field Training Officer (FTO), gaining hands-on experience in their assigned patrol areas.

The Graduating Troopers:

• Chad Everett Brown (Evansville, Ind.) – Henrico
• Sammie Lee Buckhanon, Jr. (Newport News, Va.) – Springfield
• Emmerson LeGrant Carmichael, Jr. (Catlett, Va.) – Arlington
• Andrew Lawrence James Coe (Holland Patent, N.Y.) – Chesterfield
• Kenneth Ray Cooper, Jr. (Monroe, La.) – Norfolk/Virginia Beach
• Aiden M. Davis (Rutherford, N.J.) – Norfolk/Virginia Beach
• Alec Jae Ellard (Decaturville, Tenn.) – Henry
• Mitchell Patrick Fredrickson (Martinsburg, W. Va.) – Bedford
• Frank J. Jackson, Jr. (Pitman, N.J.) – Rockingham
• Aaron Michael Lawson-Gradle (Simi Valley, Calif.) – Norfolk/Virginia Beach
• Bradley Gerald Little (Menifee, Calif.) – Orange
• Michael Carmel Mabry, Jr. (Buckingham, Va.) – Henrico
• Jacob Lee Maxfield (Russell, Va.) – Augusta
• Brian Heraughty McCabe (Madison, Conn.) – Augusta
• Hayden Joshua Mick (Staunton, Va.) – Augusta
• Tiago M. Moreira (Boston, Mass.) – Rockingham
• Joshua Emmanuel Phillips (Brodnax, Va.) – Greensville
• Randy A. Taylor (Bridgeport, Conn.) – Accomack
• Jackson Timothy Ulmer (Fredericksburg, Va.) – Bedford
• Russell L. Williams, IV (Richmond, Va.) – Henrico
• Patrick Michael Young (Woodford, Va.) – Accomack

Looking Forward

As the demand for skilled law enforcement professionals grows, the Virginia State Police continues to seek dedicated individuals to join their ranks. Those interested in pursuing a career as a Virginia State Trooper are encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police Recruitment Office or visit their website for more information.

“A Trooper’s Job Is Never Done” – the motto of the 141st Basic Session, underscores the ongoing commitment these new officers bring to serving and protecting the Commonwealth of Virginia.