VIRGINIA STATE POLICE GRADUATES 34 NEW TROOPERS

RICHMOND – After receiving more than 300 hours of classroom and field instruction in nearly 50 different subjects, including defensive tactics, cultural diversity, bias-free and community relations, crime scene investigation, ethics and leadership, police professionalism, firearms, judicial procedures, officer survival and crisis management, the 34 members of the Virginia State Police 138^th Basic Session were presented their diplomas today, Friday, Dec. 30, 2022. The members of the 138^th Basic Session began their eight weeks of academic, physical and practical training at the Academy on Oct. 30, 2022. 

The Accelerated Lateral Entry Program only accepts pre-certified Virginia law enforcement officers. Each candidate for trooper must have been in good standing with their former law enforcement employer(s) and underwent an extensive background investigative and testing process. Collectively, the 138^th Basic Session accounts for more than 200 years of prior law enforcement experience.

Colonel Gary T. Settle, Virginia State Police Superintendent remarked to the graduating class, “You entered the Academy with the invaluable experience of already understanding what it takes to serve and protect. You understand that to be a truly effective law-enforcement professional, there are certain lessons and virtues that can only come from within – integrity and attitude.  Every day the citizens of the Commonwealth will depend on you to always be at your best. Even when, and especially when, others are at their worst. Integrity, fortitude and compassion are essential to safeguard those we have pledged to serve and protect.”

After graduation, the 138^th will return to the Academy for three weeks of hands-on training before heading to their assigned area where each Trooper will spend an additional six weeks paired up with a Field Training Officer learning his or her new patrol area.

State police is currently hiring for 2023 Basic Session Academy classes. Those interested in joining the ranks of the Virginia State Police are encouraged to visit www.vatrooper.com for more information.

138^TH BASIC GRADUATING CLASS

Name                                                            Assignment

Shadrack Kwasi Arko                                   Prince William

Zachary Michael Bishop                              Henrico

Boreika ShaRayn Burwell                            Roanoke

Kelsie Amanda Cobb                                   Accomack

Christopher Michael Combs                        Wythe

Stephen Troy Comer                                    Halifax

Robert Allen Dudley                                     Highland

Cristian Adolfo Durham                                Stafford

Brittney Nicole Dye                                      Fairfax

Timothy Jarrell Fellows                                Hampton

Jerry Shane Fuller                                        Bland

Samuel William Good, III                              Rockingham

Norman Eugene Gray, Jr.                             Charles City

Andre Michael Johnson                                Prince William

Joshua Louis Johnson                                  Henrico

Johnathan David Lackey                               Bland

Jacob H. Logan                                             Franklin

Dalton Shayne Marshall                                Wythe

Brian K. Misener                                            Accomack

Codee Lee Postell                                         Sussex

Greggory K. Reynolds                                   Giles

Kyle David Rose                                            Virginia Beach

Troy Malcolm Shelton                                    Orange

Christopher W. Shively                                   Roanoke

James Irwin Shutt, III                                      Prince George

Matthew Savino Spinosa                                Prince William

Bryce Michael Steele                                     Southampton

Brandon Trevon Taylor                                   Clarke

Joey Barnett Throckmorton                            Charlotte

Kevin Scot Tully                                              James City

Goran Vukovic                                                Botetourt

Trenzas D. Whitley                                         Henrico

Garrison Douglas Wright                                Rockingham

James Robert Wright                                     Bath