Release date: July 26, 2024
The Wisconsin State Patrol welcomed 23 new officers on Friday, July 26, 2024, at its annual graduation ceremony in Wisconsin Dells. The new troopers are part of the agency’s 69th Recruit Class and 70th Recruit Class. This milestone recognizes the completion of academy training as the officers soon begin serving communities across the state.
At the ceremony, Gov. Tony Evers congratulated the new troopers joining the Wisconsin State Patrol and thanked them for their commitment to public safety.
“As you get your badge today, we know you take on a great responsibility and sacrifice, and we are grateful to each and every one of you for making the selfless decision to serve your community,” said Gov. Evers. “This job isn't easy, but it's important, fulfilling, and meaningful work, and we thank you for your commitment to keeping our roads, travelers, and communities safe.”
The new officers are an essential part of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation’s (WisDOT) law enforcement division. State Patrol officers serve in a variety of roles, including troopers; inspectors; crash reconstruction experts; airplane and drone pilots; and dignitary protection, K-9 and motorcycle officers.
“We’re excited to welcome 23 new troopers to our Division of State Patrol,” WisDOT Secretary Craig Thompson said. “These officers will be essential to our agency’s commitment to public safety. The work they’ll do in the communities they serve and on the highways they patrol will help us continue to lead the development and operation of a safe and efficient transportation system for all.”
The graduation ceremony was an opportunity to recognize the training required to become a State Patrol officer. The cadets completed classroom and scenario courses at the Wisconsin State Patrol Academy at Fort McCoy to meet state law enforcement training standards.
For the first time in history, Wisconsin State Patrol welcomed 11 current sworn law enforcement officers as lateral hires in the 70th Recruit Class. This accelerated class rotated between two weeks at the Academy and two weeks in the field until 16 weeks of training were completed. Troopers who are new to law enforcement, including the 69th Recruit Class, complete 26 weeks of academy training.
“Watching these two classes with divergent backgrounds come together, develop such a strong bond, and learn from one another has been remarkable,” State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “They united through shared experiences at the academy, and they developed a foundation of trust and respect to build on as they begin their careers together with State Patrol.”
The new troopers, listed below, will receive additional on-the-job field training at their assigned posts in State Patrol’s five regions throughout Wisconsin. Photos will be available for download
here after the ceremony.
Watch the full ceremony online.
69th Recruit Class
| Name | Hometown | Assignment |
Nikolas Brown
| Denmark, WI
| Juneau County
|
Jacob Chappa
| Berlin, WI
| Kenosha County
|
Cynthia Feuerhammer
| Fond du Lac, WI
| Waukesha County
|
Myles Guyton
| Racine, WI
| Racine County
|
Derek Haas
| Prairie du Sac, WI
| Waukesha County
|
Spencer Hythecker
| Byron, MN
| Juneau County
|
Taylor Lokhorst
| Maple Grove, MN
| S. Dane County
|
Russell Lucich
| Crystal Lake, IL
| Rock County
|
Jeremiah Samuelson
| Onalaska, WI
| Juneau County
|
Forrest Schmall
| Dixon, IL
| Waukesha County
|
Tye Smith
| Sparta, WI
| Juneau County
|
Devin Wynveen
| Appleton, WI
|
70th Recruit Class
| Name | Hometown | Assignment |
Ryan Bigalk
| Harmony, MN
| Dunn County
|
Kevin Jansen
| Fort Atkinson, WI
| Rock County
|
Molly Morris
| New Lisbon, WI
| Sauk County
|
Landon Muehlenkamp
| Wisconsin Rapids, WI
| Jefferson County
|
Zachary O’Neill
| Greenfield, WI
| Racine County
|
Benjamin Schindel
| Oconto Falls, WI
| Outagamie County
|
Nathaniel Sincoular
| Marshall, WI
| Fond du Lac County
|
Timothy Strohbusch
| Amery, WI
| St. Croix County
|
Michael Vis
| Brownsville, WI
| Fond du Lac County
|
Ryan Walters
| Cambridge, WI
| N. Dane County
|
Ryan Whaley
| Black River Falls, WI
| Monroe County
|
For more information, contact:
WisDOT Office of Public Affairs
(608) 266-3581,
opa.exec@dot.wi.gov