COLUMBUS (2-10-25) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced the recipients of the 2024 Leadership Awards. The Patrol held a ceremony recognizing dozens of state and district award winners for their valuable contributions to Ohio and its communities.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Dispatcher of the Year – Dispatcher Patrick P. Bowsher

Dispatcher Patrick P. Bowsher, Van Wert Post, earned statewide honors as the 2024 Dispatcher of the Year after being selected from 10 District Dispatcher of the Year recipients. He maintains an exemplary work ethic, encourages and mentors others, and provides direction and support.

Dispatcher Bowsher is an active member of the Members Assistance Team and serves as a field training dispatcher and is devoted to strengthening and maintaining a strong relationship between retired and active members of the Patrol.

In the community, he serves in multiple roles at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Edgerton, including as a Eucharist Minister and a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus. Dispatcher Bowsher is also active in the Edgerton Local School District, serving as coach for the middle and high school basketball teams, high school football team and as an announcer at athletic events.

Dispatcher Bowsher joined the Patrol in 1997 as a dispatcher assigned to the Van Wert Post. He has served at the Van Wert Post and Van Wert Dispatch Center throughout his career.

He was previously named as both District and Post Dispatcher of the Year. He also received an Ohio Double Gold Star Telecommunication Award for his extraordinary level of performance from the Ohio Chapters of the National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International.

Other Statewide Awards

  • Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year – Trooper Sarah A. Korsten
  • Ohio Trooper Recognition Award – Trooper Dorothy A. Gladden
  • Employee Recognition Award – Forensic Computer Specialist 2 Daniel P. Maher
  • Electronic Technician of the Year – Electronic Technician 2 Trenton N. Terrill
  • Distinguished Retiree Award – Retired Sergeant Charles R. Demuth, Cambridge District
  • Colonel Paul A. Pride State Criminal Patrol Award – Trooper Brian K. Garloch
  • Colonel Thomas W. Rice Leadership Award – Sergeant Bryan L. Sponaugle
  • Robert M. Chiaramonte Humanitarian Award – Trooper Jared R. Paine and Administrative Professional 1 Tracy J. Harvey
  • Blue Max Award (Patrol’s top auto larceny enforcer) – Sergeant Matthew D. Boyer
  • Police Officer of the Year – Police Officer 2 Joshua E. Wayt
  • Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector of the Year – Motor Carrier Enforcement Inspector William L. Mason

Patrol’s Auxiliary members

William J. Duffy Award of Excellence – Auxiliary Officer Daniel C. Masula

State Auxiliary Officer of the Year – Auxiliary Staff Major Brian W. Simpson

Partners for Safety Award – Fonda Freeman and the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities; and Chief Communications Officer David Rose and Press Secretary Matt Bruning, Ohio Department of Transportation

Associate CEO Fonda Freeman, of the Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA)

Chief Communications Officer David Rose and Press Secretary Matt Bruning, of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT),