Thirty men and women officially joined the ranks of the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) on Friday, demonstrating unwavering commitment as the 119th Trooper School graduated at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Forsyth. After 34 weeks of intensive instruction and field experience, these newly sworn Troopers are now prepared to protect and serve communities across the state.

Governor Brian P. Kemp delivered the keynote address and administered the Oath of Office, charging the graduates to uphold Georgia’s laws with “trust, fortitude, compassion, and professionalism.” He was joined by Colonel Billy Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Captain Mark Riley, Director of Training, who also offered remarks.

Trooper School is renowned for its extraordinary demands. Cadets undergo 22 weeks of academy instruction followed by 12 weeks of field training. Far exceeding the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requirement of 408 hours of basic training, the 119th class completed more than 1,400 hours of advanced training. This comprehensive curriculum covered critical areas such as emergency driving, defensive tactics, firearms proficiency, criminal law, accident investigation, and Spanish.

Class President Trooper Daniel George reflected on the transformative journey his classmates shared. “We soon learned that the journey to become a Georgia State Trooper is more than just a training program—it’s a crucible,” George stated. “It takes individuals with different backgrounds, experiences, and strengths, and pushes them to their absolute limits. And in that process, it shapes us into something greater: a cohesive unit, ready to serve with discipline, resilience, and honor.”

Several graduates were recognized for their exceptional performance during the demanding program:

Driving Proficiency: Trooper Joshua Hager
Firearms Proficiency & Top Gun Award: Trooper Victor Perez
Highest Academic Average: Trooper Lucy Kemp

Trooper Lucy Kemp, achieving the highest academic average, was also awarded the Corporal Chadwick LeCroy Scholarship, which will support her pursuit of a degree at Reinhardt University. The scholarship honors Corporal LeCroy, who was tragically killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2010.

The Patrick Dupree Leadership Award was presented to Trooper Zorian Fordham for demonstrating outstanding leadership throughout the program. This award honors the memory of Trooper Cadet Patrick Dupree, who passed away during training in 2022.

Other class officers for the 119th Trooper School included Trooper Lucy Kemp (Vice President), Trooper David Bach (Chaplain), Trooper Cody Williams (Sergeant-at-Arms), Trooper Brandon Wyre (Treasurer), and Trooper Jacob Cochran (Pennant Bearer).

These 30 new Troopers will now be assigned to one of GSP’s 52 patrol posts across Georgia, where they will begin their careers on the front lines of public safety.

119th Trooper School Graduates and Post Assignments:

Trooper’s Name Home County Post Assignment
Juan Arias Catoosa Post 43 – Calhoun
David Bach Barrow Post 6 – Gainesville
Imani Bowie Chatham Post 42 – Rincon
Jacob Cohran Haralson Post 25 – Paulding
Vincent Colonel Rockdale Post 33 – Milledgeville
Roderrickis Dozier Henry Post 47 – Forest Park
Zorian Fordham Laurens Post 30 – Cordele
Destiny Frazier Liberty Post 11 – Hinesville
Daniel George Bartow Post 3 – Cartersville
Fredrick Gilmetti Richmond Post 33 – Milledgeville
Brandon Grimes Glynn Post 23 – Brunswick
Joshua Hager Crawford Post 26 – Thomaston
Robert Heard Dekalb Post 48 – Atlanta
Jalon Jones Muscogee Post 24 – Newnan
Lucy Kemp Clarke Post 32 – Athens
Antonio Kendrick Henry Post 83 – Buckhead
Chandler Laird Telfair Post 20 – Dublin
Irish McDonald Gwinnett Post 49 – Motor Unit
Gabriel Music Appling Post 18 – Reidsville
Aaron Oliver Whitfield Post 5 – Dalton
Cody Peek Lowndes Post 13 – Tifton
Victor Perez Richmond Post 17 – Washington
Jake Pomeroy Chatham Post 42 – Rincon
Joshua Potter Cobb Post 48 – Atlanta
Camden Taylor Haralson Post 4 – Villa Rica
Stacy Turner Tift Post 21 – Sylvania
Monalisa Waters Dekalb Post 48 – Atlanta
Cody Williams Bulloch Post 45 – Statesboro
Riley Windham Laurens Post 20 – Dublin
Brandon Wrye Twiggs Post 1 – Griffin