The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) graduated its 117th Trooper School Friday, September 13, at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center (GPSTC) in Forsyth. After 34 weeks of intense training, 39 new Troopers will report to one of 52 patrol posts around the state.

Georgia’s First Lady, Marty Kemp, delivered the graduation address, and Deputy Commissioner Lt. Colonel Kendrick Lowe gave the Oath of Office. Additional remarks were provided by Colonel Billy Hitchens, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS), and Captain Craig Singletary, Director of Training.

Trooper Cadets spend 22 weeks at the academy and 12 weeks training in the field. The Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council (POST) requires all peace officers to receive a minimum of 408 hours of Basic Mandate Training. After completing Trooper School, the graduates have received more than 1,400 hours of training including driving, defensive tactics, vehicle stops, Spanish, criminal law and criminal procedure, firearms, accident investigation, and various other training.

During remarks to his fellow class members Trooper De’Marion Jones, class president, reflected on the group’s journey through Trooper School.

“Trooper school was not easy,” said Jones. “It was very hard, both physically and mentally, but Captain Singletary would always show up at the right time. He provided us with sincere motivation and reminded us not to forget our why and to stay the course. Trooper school consisted of many challenges: academics, precision driving, basic and advanced firearms, a shotgun stress course, and defensive tactics week. There was something to be learned from every challenge” Jones added.

In addition to Jones, other class officers include Trooper Payton Carradine, Secretary and Treasurer; Trooper Wesley Collins, Chaplain; Trooper David Gant, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Trooper David Zarb, Pennant Bearer.

Four graduates received special honors for top performance in various proficiencies. The honorees were:

Driving Proficiency – Trooper Jean-Tae Wilson

Firearms Proficiency – Trooper David Gant

Top Gun – Trooper Russell Gassaway

Highest Academic Average – Trooper Samuel Schmittou

Trooper Schmittou who had a 97.38 academic average, received the Cpl. Chadwick LeCroy scholarship to use toward obtaining a degree from Reinhardt University. Cpl. Chadwick LeCroy, a GSP Trooper, was killed in the line of duty on December 27, 2010.

Trooper Payton Carradine received the third annual Patrick Dupree Leadership Award, presented to the cadet who showed leadership throughout the entire class, even though they were not the class president. Trooper Cadet Dupree passed away Thursday, September 8, 2022, after performing a training exercise along with other members of the 113th Trooper School at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.