FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Contact: Tony Mangan, 773-6196

Highway Patrol Trooper Albertson Receives AAA South Dakota State Trooper of the Year Award

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A South Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper, who has earned praise for his work with both colleagues and citizens, has been named as the 2016 South Dakota State Trooper of the Year.

Trooper Todd Albertson, who is based in Custer and is an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, was recognized during an awards luncheon Tuesday in Sioux Falls.  Sponsored by AAA South Dakota, the award is presented to a trooper for continued demonstration of exceptional service to the agency, citizens and communities.

“Trooper Albertson’s dedication and commitment to the Highway Patrol and our state is to be commended,” says Col. Craig Price, superintendent of the Highway Patrol. “Trooper Albertson is a shining example of a state trooper and he reflects the standards of the Highway Patrol every day.”

In the nomination received for Trooper Albertson, he was recognized for his work both within the Highway Patrol and the community. He promotes safe driving habits in presentations to young people, serves as a mentor for the Highway Patrol’s Youth Trooper Academy, is a member of the Patrol’s recruiting team which reviews potential trooper candidates and is the assistant squad leader for the Rapid City A Squad. He is also active within the Custer community.

“His interaction with the motoring public, visitors and the citizens of South Dakota, make you swell up with pride,” reads the nomination. “He displays sincere and genuine concern for their well-being and goes out of his way to assist them in their time of need.”

This was the third annual Highway Patrol awards ceremony.  Marilyn Buskohl, director of Administration at AAA South Dakota, says that organization is proud to be part of such an award. “We can never thank the Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies enough for what they do for all of us,” she says. “We are proud to help honor them.”

Trooper Albertson is a 12-year veteran of the Highway Patrol; he was hired on this date – June 7, 2004.  He was born in Sioux Falls and grew up in Volga.

Other finalists for the award were Trooper Kristoff deKramer of Sioux Falls and Trooper Michael Peterson of Mitchell.

Former Highway Patrol Superintendent and state legislator Gene Abdallah of Sioux Falls was the guest speaker for the awards luncheon.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is part of the Department of Public Safety.

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