For Immediate Release: Friday, April 6, 2018

Contact: Tony Mangan, Department of Public Safety, 773-6196

Highway Patrol Trooper Graduation Friday, April 13

PIERRE, S.D. – Twelve new recruits officially join South Dakota’s Highway Patrol at a graduation ceremony set for 10 a.m., Friday, April 13, in the State Capitol Rotunda in Pierre.

Class 60 consists of nine men and three women.  Graduation is the culmination of a one-year period which started with the recruits making the initial application to the Highway Patrol. After being selected, the recruits completed eight months of training which included basic law enforcement training, attending the South Dakota Highway Patrol Recruit Academy and finally, field training.

“We always tell our recruits that it is not easy to become a Highway Patrol trooper, but we want them ready for any situation they might face,” says Col. Craig Price, superintendent of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. “Graduation is a major achievement for the recruits and their families. We are proud to share the moment with them.”

The graduating recruits and their duty stations are: Brandon Allen, Hot Springs; Emily Brigham, Elk Point; Nic Herman, Belle Fourche; Jacob Meyers, Brookings; Tyrel Minor, Rapid City; Taylor Mohr, Wagner; Sean Needham, Pierre; John Nelson, Custer; Kimberly Norman, Rapid City; James Paris, Lemmon; Joelle Schuknecht, Redfield; and Jordan Staab, Aberdeen.

“These recruits bring their own backgrounds, life experiences and skills to the Highway Patrol,” says Col. Price. “Each of them will help make the Patrol stronger and better able to meet the needs of the public.”

Gov. Dennis Daugaard is the guest speaker for the ceremony.  At the end of graduation, the new troopers will receive their patrol cars which will be parked behind the state Capitol. Many of the graduates are scheduled to be on duty as early as Saturday, April 14.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony.

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

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