COLUMBUS, Ohio (3-21-25)– Today, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 175th Academy Class graduated from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy after 28 weeks of intense training.
Two Stateline area men a part of the class…Parker Mihm of Willshire and Jacob Westerfield of St. Marys.
Director Andy Wilson, Ohio Department of Public Safety; and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent; provided remarks during the graduation ceremony. Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Deborah Ashenhurst delivered the commencement address to the 40 members of the Patrol’s 175th Academy Class. Judge David A. Trimmer, Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas, issued the Oath of Office.
Courses completed by the 175th class include crash investigation, criminal and traffic law, detection of impaired drivers, firearms, physical fitness, self-defense, and emergency vehicle operations.
Trooper Madison H. Myles, Athens Post, was selected as class speaker and thanked the Academy and cadet family members for being supportive during their training.
Four graduates received special honors for top performance in various fields of study at the Training Academy. The honorees were:
Overall performance – Trooper Ronald R. Morgan IV, Granville Post
Top performance in academics – Trooper Derek G. Basinger, Lisbon Post
Top performance in driving – Trooper Ronald R. Morgan IV, Granville Post
Top performance in firearms – Trooper Ethan L. Barrett, Lisbon Post
Top performance in physical fitness – Trooper Devin M. Bousquet, Chillicothe Post
Graduates will report to their assigned posts beginning Sunday, March 23. The graduates’ first 70 working days will be a field-training period under the guidance of a veteran officer. The new graduates are assigned to 28 of the Patrol’s 59 posts.
Mercer County Outlook 