HIGHWAY PATROL ANNOUNCES TROOPER PROMOTIONS

Pierre - Colonel Dan Mosteller of the South Dakota Highway Patrol has announced the promotion of four State Troopers to the rank of Sergeant, effective July 24, 2003. 

Darrell Welch will be the squad sergeant in Rapid City.  Welch started his law enforcement career as a police officer with the Hot Springs Police Department in 1983 and joined the South Dakota Highway Patrol in 1985, stationed in Rapid City.  In addition to his regular duties, he has instructed Emergency Vehicle Operations for the past 17 years and acted as a field training officer.  

Chris Forster will be the squad sergeant in Kadoka.  He began his law enforcement career with the USD Police Department in 1984.  He was hired by the South Dakota Highway Patrol in November 1985 and was stationed in Parker until he transferred to Pierre in 1995.  Forster has performed duties as a field training officer and as assistant squad leader for the Pierre Squad.  He served four years in the Air Force, eight years with the Army Guard, and has been with the Naval Reserve since 1991.  He was activated from November 1990 to May 1991 to serve in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm and again from October 2001 to July 2002 during operation Noble Eagle to serve at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL.  

Kevin Schurch will be the squad sergeant in Huron.  Schurch was hired by the South Dakota Highway Patrol in 1983 and was stationed in Freeman.  He served there for five years and then transferred to Beresford, where he has been stationed for 15 years. He has been the assistant squad leader for the Vermilion Squad for the past two years and has also spent time as an Emergency Vehicle Operations instructor.  

Bradley Millard will be stationed in Yankton, where he will be the supervisor for southeast South Dakota motor carrier operations.  Trooper Millard began his career with the South Dakota Highway Patrol in 1987 and was stationed in Watertown until he transferred to Sioux Falls in 1992. He has been a member of the Highway Patrol ALPHA team, a field training officer, and an assistant squad leader.  In addition to his Highway Patrol duties, Millard was a Security Policeman assigned to the 114^th Security Forces Squadron in Sioux Falls.  He was activated full time for Operation Enduring Freedom and served overseas in the Middle East.  Millard was deactivated in April 2003 and retired in May after 22 years of military service.