Pennsylvania State Police Welcomes 97 New Troopers


(MENAFNEditorial) HARRISBURG, Pa., Dec. 22, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Commissioner Tyree C. Blocker announced today that 97 cadets graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey and have been assigned to troops across the commonwealth. The men and women represent the 150th graduating cadet class.

The ceremony at Bishop McDevitt High School marked the culmination of 27 weeks of classroom and physical training. Cadet Andrew M. Merced, from Dauphin County, spoke on behalf of the graduating class.

Six cadets received special awards and recognition at the ceremony:

  • The American Legion Award, presented to the most outstanding cadet in recognition of all-around academic, physical, ethical, and moral qualifications: Grant W. Ralston, Centre County
  • The Colonel Ronald L. Sharpe Award, presented to the cadet who most exemplifies the qualities of leadership: Cadet Andrew M. Merced, Dauphin County
  • The Colonel John K. Schafer Award, presented to the cadet who achieved the highest combined score on a series of physical skills tests: Jeffrey S. Beal, Jr., Bedford County
  • The Commissioner Daniel F. Dunn Award, presented to the cadet who earned the highest level of academic achievement in the class: Andrew M. Merced, Dauphin County
  • The Sergeant Charles B. Gesford Award, presented to the cadet who scored the highest on the department's pistol qualification course: Tony J. Anthony, Westmoreland County
  • The Colonel Paul J. Chylak Award, presented to the cadet who demonstrated the highest proficiency in driver safety training: Rodd J. Furlough, Jr., Allegheny County
  • The graduates have been assigned to the following troops:

    Troop B, Belle Vernon
    Kenneth D. Sherman of Allegheny County

    Troop B, Uniontown
    Tony J. Anthony of Westmoreland County
    Joel A. Burrell of Allegheny County
    Andrew Z. Hickey of Allegheny County
    Nicholas V. Kunz of Allegheny County
    Brandon T. Madden of Westmoreland County
    Eric M. Moskal of Washington County
    Mateusz S. Zeglen of Washington County

    Troop B, Washington
    Rocco S. Gagliardi of Allegheny County
    Matthew A. Moss of Allegheny County

    Troop C, Clarion
    Logan T. Fluke of Bedford County
    Matthew L. Lingle of Dauphin County

    Troop C, Kane
    Lauren E. Strishock of Clearfield County
    Eric D. Thompson of McKean County

    Troop C, Marienville
    Marcus A. Lantzy of Cambria County
    Brionna N. Mort of Huntingdon County

    Troop C, Punxsutawney
    Chester E. Knotts III of Cambria County

    Troop C, Ridgeway
    Nicholas X. Fay of Blair County
    David M. Pisano of Indiana County

    Troop D, Butler
    Bertha Cazy of Philadelphia County
    Tyler A. Dubovi of Armstrong County
    William F. Nadolsky of Centre County
    Eric J. Porter of Westmoreland County
    Francis M. Walters of Butler County

    Troop D, Kittanning
    Dillon P. Burkarth of Allegheny County
    Nolan P. Cavanaugh of Armstrong County
    Logan D. Small of Indiana County
    Kalee A. Wietrzykowski of Washington County

    Troop D, Mercer
    Brian G. Fulkman of Lawrence County

    Troop E, Corry
    Bradley J. Beightol of Venango County
    Ryan L. Gocal of Crawford County

    Troop E, Erie
    Rodd J. Furlough, Jr. of Allegheny County
    Corey A. Tomko of Crawford County

    Troop E, Franklin
    Jerod S. Young of Crawford County

    Troop E, Girard
    Jacob A. Newara of Erie County

    Troop E, Meadville
    Richard M. Bordonaro of Erie County

    Troop E, Warren
    Bradley S. Barnhill of Venango County
    Joshua M. Tassone of Vanango County

    Troop F, Coudersport
    Marshall S. Bower of Tioga County
    Troy R. Croak of Montour County

    Troop F, Emporium
    Joshua S. Eichenlaub of Clinton County
    Grant W. Ralston of Centre County

    Troop F, Milton
    Jennifer J. Bowers of Lycoming County

    Troop F, Montoursville
    Devin H. Park of Huntingdon County

    Troop G, Bedford
    Zane R. Baker of Fulton County

    Troop G, McConnellsburg
    Jeffrey S. Beal, Jr. of Bedford County

    Troop H, Chambersburg
    Lucas C. Amarose of Northumberland County
    Benjamin A. Forsythe of Washington, MD
    Cory B. Kylor of Mifflin County
    Matthew A. Rader of Huntingdon County
    Nathaniel J. Wachsmuth of Washington, MD
    Curtis C. Weston of Mifflin County

    Troop H, Harrisburg
    Christopher D. Costello of Dauphin County
    Joshua T. Porter of Berks County
    Jacob B. Walker of Lycoming County
    Jonathan S. Zimmerman of Dauphin County

    Troop H, York
    Dylan T. Adams of Carroll, MD
    Scott K. Giraud of Orange, NY
    Noah J.L. McKnight of Monroe County
    Timothy J. Shearon, Jr. of York County
    Steven P. Stechman of Berks County

    Troop J, Avondale
    David J. Nguyen of Camden, NJ
    Carmen M. Scinico of Lackawanna County

    Troop J, Embreeville
    Kaytlynn A. Greenert of Dauphin County
    Zachary R. Kades of Northampton County
    Justin N. Yozsa of Northampton County

    Troop J, Lancaster
    Alexander Q. Barry of Lebanon County
    Adam D. Hartzell of Lancaster County
    Anthony J. Urban of Berks County

    Troop K, Media
    Derek J. Rumsey of Montgomery County
    Stephen J. Slavin, Jr. of Montgomery County

    Troop K, Philadelphia
    William C. Butler, Jr. of Philadelphia County
    Keith T. Hamell of Philadelphia County
    Chad W. Howell of Cambria County
    Ryan P. Rutter of Bucks County
    Trent C. Tolbert, Jr. of Philadelphia County

    Troop K, Skippack
    Andrew M. Merced of Dauphin County

    Troop L, Hamburg
    Douglas W. Jennings of Luzerne County

    Troop L, Jonestown
    Justin M. Kline of Berks County

    Troop L, Reading
    Christopher S. Young of Berks County

    Troop M, Fogelsville
    Sergio M. Castro of Union County
    John H. Snyder of Lehigh County

    Troop N, Fern Ridge
    Jonathan M. Housenick of Luzerne County
    Brittany N. Naylor of Luzerne County

    Troop N, Hazleton
    Brent M. Beaver of Columbia County
    Nathan W. Golla of Columbia County

    Troop N, Lehighton
    Ryan T. Brands of Northampton County
    Peter Krajnak of Carbon County

    Troop N, Stroudsburg
    Tyler J. Cunningham of Lackawanna County
    Joseph P. Gillot of Lackawanna County
    Justin J. Golden of Lackawanna County
    Thomas D. Rehberg of Pike County
    Thomas A. Whalen of Lackawanna County
    Michael G. Zaleskas, Jr. of Luzerne County

    Troop P, Towanda
    Joseph R. Bednarksi of Luzerne County
    John A. Kasheta of Lackawanna County
    Adam L. Thomas of Wayne County

    For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit . To learn more about becoming a Pennsylvania State Trooper, visit .

    MEDIA CONTACT: Ryan Tarkowski, 717-783-5556

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    SOURCE Pennsylvania State Police

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