Tennessee Highway Patrol Graduates 40 State Troopers

NASHVILLE - Today, Commissioner David W. Purkey welcomed the newest troopers of the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), Cadet Class 1218. The graduation ceremony took place at Cross Point Church in Nashville. The 40 cadets earned their badges delivered their oaths of office after completing 20 weeks of intense physical and classroom training at the THP Training Center.

“It’s my privilege to join our state’s leadership today as we graduate the last trooper cadet class under Governor Haslam’s administration," Commissioner David W. Purkey said. "These men and women went through extensive training and recognize the responsibility of serving as a Tennessee State Trooper. This selection process was competitive with a pool of 500 applicants. Congratulations to each graduate as you celebrate with your family and friends. You have earned this honor.”

The 40 graduates of Cadet Class 1218 included 15 veterans, 15 have a bachelor’s degree, eight have an associate’s degree and 11 have college experience.

“I am very proud of our newest trooper class,” Colonel Dereck R. Stewart said. “The cadets came to our training program as individuals from a variety of backgrounds. As they underwent an intense training regimen, they bonded and became a unit. Today, I am proud to call them Tennessee State Troopers. There is no doubt they are going to face increasing challenges, but I am confident they will approach their duties with honor, pride, service, and as professional law enforcement officers.”

Bethel University presented a $5,000 scholarship to Trooper Louis Guillebeaux. Trooper Guillebeaux will serve in Loudon County in the Knoxville District.

Trooper Jacob Wiser of Grainger County was named top cadet, and presented the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence for his leadership, work ethic and academics. The award was named in honor of the late Trooper Jenks, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2007. Trooper Wiser will serve in Anderson County in the Knoxville district.

As part of a class community service project, Class 1218 participated in a blood drive with the American Red Cross, collecting 29 units of blood. Class 1218 also collected toys that will be donated to Toys for Tots program.

The new graduates will continue their training with troopers classified as Field Training Officers, totaling more than 400 hours of hands-on experience in the field.

The new trooper assignments are attached. Photographs of the graduating troopers are available in the following link, https://www.flickr.com/photos/safetytn/albums/72157704312452154.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.

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