The following is from a Washington State Patrol press release:
At a ceremony held in the Capitol Rotunda Wednesday afternoon, 27 Washington State Patrol troopers were sworn in by Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Fairhurst, and were presented their commission cards by Governor Jay Inslee and Chief John R. Batiste, who welcomed them into an organization known and trusted by the citizens of Washington State.
Justin Gregson, a Sumner man, was among the troopers sworn in. He will serve out of Tacoma. Other troopers graduating into service at the Tacoma station include Johnna Batiste, Brian Gavin, Shannon Laux, Cory Litchfield and Maurice Rincon.
The troopers completed more than 1,000 hours of training as cadets. The Washington State Patrol Academy produces approximately two cadet classes each biennium, which accounts for about 60 to 120 new troopers. Historically, only about four to six percent of the total number of applicants makes the grade to become WSP troopers.
“The 27 cadets graduating today endured a rigorous application process, extensive background investigation, and received the best training, unmatched anywhere else in the nation,” said Chief John Batiste. “Today, they will join the ranks of Washington’s finest, as troopers of the Washington State Patrol.”
The Washington State Patrol began 92 years ago on June 21, 1921, when six men kick-started their Indian motorcycles, strapped on an arm band, and patrolled the state’s roadways. The tradition continues to this day with the graduation of the 101st Trooper Basic Training Class at the Capitol Rotunda, signaled by the stream of shiny white patrol cars parked in the lanes leading up to the Capitol steps.
During the ceremony, the Core Values Award was presented to Trooper Brandon Baird; This award is presented to the trooper cadet who most typifies the Training Division Core Values which include: strong leadership, effective partnerships, professional excellence, acting with integrity and accountability, respecting and protecting individual rights, and earning the trust and confidence of the public. The recipient of this award was determined by an anonymous vote of his classmates, and is sponsored by the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation.This award honors the most recent State Patrol employee to give his life in service to the citizens of the state of Washington. Trooper Sean M. O’Connell, Jr. was killed in the line of duty on May 31, 2013, and this award was presented today in his honor. Mrs. Alissa O’Connell, Trooper O’Connell’s wife, presented the award to Trooper Baird.
Additionally, Trooper Gavin won the Top Driving Award for his proficiency behind the wheel.
A full list of WSP graduates can be found here.
