HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov 23, 2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Newest Troopers Assigned to Locations Around Commonwealth

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced that 87 men and women joined the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police following their graduation Friday from the State Police Academy in Hershey.

"We are counting on these new troopers to help Pennsylvania better protect its residents and ensure the safety of our communities," Governor Rendell said. "These individuals have received the highest level of police training and are well prepared to face the many challenges of law enforcement."

Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which was held at Central Dauphin High School. Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski offered remarks and Cadet Tabitha C. Arner of Leechburg, Armstrong County, spoke on behalf of the cadet class.

Cadet Dennis D. Peters of Woodland, Clearfield County, was named the outstanding cadet by his classmates and instructors, receiving the American Legion Award.

Also receiving awards were:

   --  Cadet Brandon R. LaBar of Bethlehem, Northampton County -- Daniel F.
   Dunn High Scholastic Award;
   --  Cadet Zachary J. Mitchell of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County -- Charles B.
   Gesford High Pistol Award;
   --  Cadet Craig M. Acord of Richboro, Bucks County -- Col. Paul J. Chylak
   Memorial Driver Proficiency Award; and
   --  Cadet Levi F. Dively of Garrett, Somerset County -- John K. Schafer
   Memorial Physical Fitness Award.
   
   

Major John W. Laufer III, director of the state police Bureau of Training and Education, supervised the training of the class, which was the 130th class to graduate from the State Police Academy in Hershey since it opened in 1960.

The graduates come from 44 counties in Pennsylvania. They have been assigned to seven troops across the state and will report to their stations on Nov. 30.

For more information, visit www.psp.state.pa.us or call 717-783-5556.

   
   
   Media Contacts:
   Jack J. Lewis or Lt. Myra A. Taylor, PSP; 717-783-5556
   Gary Tuma, Governor's Office; 717-783-1116
   
   

Editor's Note: A list of graduates and their home towns, arranged by the location of their troop assignment, follows:

   
   
   Troop A, Greensburg, Westmoreland County
   ----------------------------------------
   Tabitha C. Arner of Leechburg, Armstrong County
   Anthony D. Baum Jr. of New Alexandria, Westmoreland County
   Patrick B. Hauser of Latrobe, Westmoreland County
   Joshua B. Johnson of Connellsville, Fayette County
   Jonathan A. Lindsay of Irwin, Westmoreland County
   Justin R. Werner of Butler, Butler County
   
   

   
   
   Troop B, Washington, Washington County
   --------------------------------------
   Andrew J. Barron of Somerset, Somerset County
   Andrew E. Bobanic of Hookstown, Beaver County
   Nathan L. Brown of Butler, Butler County
   Timothy M. Jamieson of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
   Brandon L. Johnston of New Bethlehem, Clarion County
   Zachary J. Mitchell of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
   William C. Peake of Aliquippa, Beaver County
   Andrew Prizzi of Penn Hills, Allegheny County
   Richard J. Sizer of New Castle, Lawrence County
   Marc A. Ziegler of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
   
   

   
   
   Troop E, Erie, Erie County
   --------------------------
   Jason J. Chamberlin of Spartansburg, Crawford County
   Carl N. Lewis of Sheffield, Warren County
   John W. Michalak of Cochranton, Crawford County
   Christian J. Miller of Strattanville, Clarion County
   Paige E. Pifer of Punxsutawney, Jefferson County
   Christopher T. Wingard of Jamestown, Crawford County
   Joshua L. Zeigler of Erie, Erie County
   
   

   
   
   Troop H, Harrisburg, Dauphin County
   -----------------------------------
   Andrew P. Beckwith of Harrisburg, Dauphin County
   Jared J. Bruno of Yukon, Westmoreland County
   Erik S. Cummings of Middlebury Center, Tioga County
   William P. Dick of Harleysville, Montgomery County
   Levi F. Dively of Garrett, Somerset County
   Justin W. Dorazio of Ligonier, Westmoreland County
   James M. Erme Jr. of Hermitage, Mercer County
   Joel D. Follmer of Montgomery, Lycoming County
   Dana T. Gingerich of Spring Grove, York County
   Thomas A. Gornati Jr. of Kersey, Elk County
   Daniel E. Grazier of Tyrone, Blair County
   Alex M. Grote of Uniontown, Fayette County
   James M. Hanning Jr. of Jefferson, Greene County
   Corey S. Ickes of Schellsburg, Bedford County
   Leah A. Jobes of Uniontown, Fayette County
   Joseph M. Kozuch of Somerset, Somerset County
   Mark D. Lotz of Milton, Northumberland County
   Brent D. Miller of Muncy, Lycoming County
   Reeve A. Mott of Canton, Bradford County
   Daniel C. Moyer of Duncansville, Blair County
   Brian R. O'Connor of Ashland, Schuylkill County
   Nathan S. Owens of Morrisdale, Clearfield County
   Matthew P. Pavone of Middletown, Dauphin County
   Michael J. Predajna of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County
   Todd A. Shive of Drifting, Clearfield County
   Michael T. Stahl of Summerhill, Cambria County
   Jeffrey M. Summits of Davidsville, Somerset County
   Michael D. Thompson of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County
   Shane A. Varner of Lewistown, Mifflin County
   
   

   
   
   Troop J, Lancaster, Lancaster County
   ------------------------------------
   Dawn M. Beiswenger of Denver, Lancaster County
   Michael A. Bermudez of Reading, Berks County
   Daniel L. Clemente of Dresher, Montgomery County
   Haley M. Covol of Belle Vernon, Fayette County
   Lori B. Edgar of Gap, Lancaster County
   Lauren A. Long of Honey Brook, Chester County
   Katherine L. Miller of Sinking Spring, Berks County
   Dennis D. Peters of Woodland, Clearfield County
   Evan R. Terek of Irwin, Westmoreland County
   Stefanie L. Trzaska of Ephrata, Lancaster County
   James R. Welsh of Fairfield, Adams County
   
   Troop K, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
   ------------------------------------------
   Walter K. Crump of Folcroft, Delaware County
   Stephen M. Dunkle of Mill Hall, Clinton County
   Loretta J. Miree of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
   Erjon Mollaj of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
   Robert G. Pomponio of Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County
   Reginald L. Rawls Jr. of Newtown Square, Delaware County
   Peter A. Strzelecki of Upper Darby, Delaware County
   Michael G. Voetelink of Avoca, Luzerne County
   
   Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County
   --------------------------------------
   Craig M. Acord of Richboro, Bucks County
   Matthew S. Antonow of Easton, Northampton County
   Christian E. Bleiler of Schnecksville, Lehigh County
   Thomas A. DiMaggio of Milford, Pike County
   Justin Humanick of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County
   Justin L. Julius of Mountain Top, Luzerne County
   Shamus M. Kelleher of Honesdale, Wayne County
   Brandon R. LaBar of Bethlehem, Northampton County
   Gerald P. Lydon of Scranton, Lackawanna County
   Mark R. McDermott of Williamsport, Lycoming County
   Jesse J. Oleksza of Little Meadows, Susquehanna County
   James P. Rabel of Peckville, Lackawanna County
   John J. Stepanski III of White Haven, Luzerne County
   Jason A. Traino of Dalton, Lackawanna County
   Thomas W. Williams of Allentown, Lehigh County
   Stephen M. Zicker of Effort, Monroe County
   
   

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

http://www.governor.state.pa.us
   

Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved