At a ceremony held at the Training Division this afternoon, 49 Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers were sworn in by Justice Susan Owens of the Washington State Supreme Court. They were presented their commission cards by Assistant Chief Jeff R. Sass, who welcomed them into an organization known and trusted by the citizens of Washington State.

After completing over 1,000 hours of training, these men and women will join Washington’s premier law enforcement organization. The Washington State Patrol Academy produces approximately three cadet classes each biennium, which accounts for about 100 to 120 new troopers. Historically, only about four to six percent of the total number of applicants makes the grade to become WSP troopers.

“The 49 cadets graduating today endured a rigorous application process, extensive background investigation, and received the best training, unmatched anywhere else in the nation. Today, they will join the ranks of Washington’s finest, as troopers of the Washington State Patrol, a tradition that began 99 years ago on June 21, 1921, when sixteen brave men kick-started their Indian motorcycles, strapped on an armband and started a proud tradition known today as the Washington State Patrol,” said Chief John Batiste.

During the ceremony, the Core Values Award was presented to Trooper Samuel T. Harshberger. This award is presented to the trooper cadet who most typifies the Training Division Core Values, which includes strong leadership, effective partnerships, professional excellence, acting with integrity and accountability, respecting and protecting individual rights, and earning the trust and confidence of the public. The recipient of this award was determined by an anonymous vote of the cadet’s classmates, and is sponsored by the Washington State Patrol Memorial Foundation. This award honors the most recent State Patrol employee to give their life in service to the citizens of the state of Washington. Trooper Justin R. Schaffer died in the line of duty on March 24, 2020. The award was presented today in Trooper Schaffer’s honor by his wife, Sandra Schaffer. In addition to this award, Captain Mark R. Tegard presented five trooper cadets with awards.

These awards included:

Top Academic Award
Presented to Trooper Carol Ann E. Fuchs; this award recognizes the outstanding efforts of the cadet who attains the highest grade point average compiled over 30 exams and quizzes. The class average GPA for the 113th Trooper Basic Training Class was 91%; Trooper Fuchs’ GPA was an impressive 95%.

Top Driving Award
Presented to Trooper Jaremy N. Martin; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency with respect to driving skills and techniques, decision-making and mind-set, and steady and constant improvement through each phase of drivers training.

Top Firearms Award
Presented to Trooper Jace M. Steele; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency with all weapon systems, marksmanship scores and skills, and demonstration of sound judgment during practical encounter scenarios.

Top Physical Fitness
Presented to Trooper Patrick R. Homa; this award recognizes the highest level of drive and tenacity in physical fitness testing and training. The recipient of this award consistently performed at the top of the Trooper Basic Training Class during physical training.

Top Control Tactics Award
Presented to Trooper Cody L. Robinson; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency in control tactics techniques, to include self-defense, handcuffing, searching, and use of force thought process.

Top Collision Investigation Award
Presented to Trooper Jace M. Steele; this award recognizes the highest level of proficiency regarding collision investigation, including mathematical computation, scene investigation, information and evidence gathering, report writing, and teamwork.

Top Overall Cadet Award
Presented to Trooper Patrick R. Homa; this award recognizes the trooper cadet who demonstrated great courage to overcome obstacles, unwavering dedication to stay focused on reaching their goals, and their ability to give 100% in every aspect of their training. Trooper Homa demonstrated the necessary skills, abilities, and judgment to be an excellent trooper, and he made extra efforts to make continuous improvements.

113th Trooper Basic Training Class

NameNumberFinal AssignmentHome Town
1Adams, Jessica A.760OkanoganMalott
2Ahn, Hyungjun424TacomaYelm
3Arceo, Montana C.629MarysvilleWalla Walla
4Bonnell, Rebecca A.1299BellevueOlympia
5Boyd, Parker C.1148BellevueNormandy Park
6Buddin, Dustin D.962MonroeArlington
7Candelaria, Silverio S.324GoldendaleVancouver
8Carrillo-Varela, Magaly1099YakimaYakima
9Childs, Regan A.347MarysvilleDeer Park
10Clark, Benjamin M.320OlympiaTumwater
11Corner, Christopher L.339TacomaVancouver
12Donwen, Nathan L.950BellevuePuyallup
13Erwin, KeShawn J.1123BellevueTacoma
14Flaig, Kyle E.973ChehalisCentralia
15Fletcher, Jacob W.1226BellinghamSumas
16Fuchs, Carol Ann E.1101BellevueTacoma
17Grasseth, Skylor J.556MonroeCathlamet
18Harding, Kelsey M.718MarysvilleArlington
19Harshberger, Samuel T.1083MonroeAirway Heights
20Hicks, Lauren K.884YakimaSelah
21Homa, Patrick R.1266BellevueAuburn
22Hudson, Caleb M.544MonroeSt. John
23Jewell, Jeb S.1234SheltonChehalis
24Kroner, Mitchel J.918GrandviewPasco
25MacKinnon, Cameron A.1257MonroeLynden
26Martin, Jaremy N.1198BurlingtonLynden
27McClelland, Shane R.833Pt. TownsendBremerton
28Miller, Cody L.807TacomaRoy
29Miller, Shelby N.1059TacomaDupont
30Morgan, Brittan H.919TacomaLacey
31Murray, Jonathon K.530OlympiaOlympia
32Olson, Jacob W.861MarysvilleStanwood
33Osmer, Cameron M.1151BellevueIssaquah
34Perkins, Bryan R.1010BellevueLynnwood
35Raber, Jared J.1292OkanoganEast Wenatchee
36Radillo Diaz, Vidal432GrandviewYakima
37Robinson, Cody L.867MonroeMontesano
38Rohrbaugh, Eion R.1156MonroeSpokane
39Schick, Carter L.1077OlympiaOlympia
40Schoenborn, David L.510GoldendaleWinlock
41Schultz, Clementine S.619MarysvilleSalkum
42Silva, Cruz M.1250BellevuePuyallup
43Steele, Jace M.353MarysvilleMonroe
44Sullivan, Liam C.1254BurlingtonMt. Vernon
45Taylor, Aspen M.797TacomaTacoma
46Weatherwax, Katherine M.648Pt. TownsendBremerton
47Weigel, Lars D.447OkanoganOmak
48York, Jamon L.491TacomaOlympia
49Young, Mark740TacomaTumwater