South Dakota Highway Patrol Hosts 12^th Annual Awards Ceremony

Fort Pierre, S.D.- The South Dakota Highway Patrol is proud to announce Trooper Jordan Melius has been named Trooper of the Year, and Motor Carrier Inspector, Mehsin Wehbe, has been named Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year. These awards are one of the Highway Patrol's highest honors and recognize the outstanding contributions of Trooper Melius and Inspector Wehbe in keeping South Dakota a safe place to live, work, visit, and raise a family.

Trooper Melius has been with the Highway Patrol since 2016 and is stationed in Watertown. Trooper Melius is a well-respected Trooper due to her high drive, work ethic, teamwork, community involvement and steadfast dedication to the agency. She is a field training officer, a drug recognition expert, a recruiting team member, an assistant squad leader, and a member of the peer support team. Despite all these extra duties she is still one of the top contributors to highway safety through her enforcement efforts on our highways.

Inspector Wehbe has been with the Motor Carrier Services division of the South Dakota Highway Patrol since 2019. Inspector Wehbe is known as a hard-working Motor Carrier Inspector and a person of great character, integrity, and a team player. He puts the safety of his fellow inspectors, the citizens of South Dakota, and those traveling through our state as top priority.

"The South Dakota Highway Patrol is proud to recognize Trooper Melius and Inspector Wehbe for their remarkable work in 2023," said Colonel Casey Collins, Superintendent of the Highway Patrol. "Trooper Melius and Inspector Wehbe exemplify the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s commitment to safeguarding and serving the people of South Dakota.”

The awards were presented at the 12th Annual Highway Patrol Awards Ceremony in Fort Pierre, which featured Lieutenant Governor Larry Rhoden as the honorary guest speaker. The South Dakota Trucking Association, South Dakota Auto Dealers Association, and AAA of South Dakota sponsored the event.

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

                                                         # # #

 
Trooper Jordan Melius (center) is named the 2023 Trooper of the Year and accepts the award from Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden and Col. Casey Collins. 

Lt. Governor Larry Rhoden congratulates Motor Carrier Inspector Mehsin Wehbe, named the 2023 Motor Carrier Inspector of the Year.