DOVER, DE — The Delaware State Police graduated 20 state troopers and nine municipal police officers on February 19 during a ceremony at Dover Middle School, marking the completion of the 105th State Police and 101st Municipal Police Recruit classes, according to Superintendent Col. William D. Crotty.
The recruits completed training at the Delaware State Police Training Academy and will now begin careers in public safety across the state.
The municipal officers represent the Delaware Natural Resources Police, Georgetown Police Department, Middletown Police Department and Millsboro Police Department.
The ceremony included remarks from Gov. Matthew Meyer, State Prosecutor Dan Logan, Department of Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Joshua A. Bushweller and Crotty. Trooper Gabriel Hayes, selected by classmates, also addressed the graduating class.
Several recruits received awards for performance during the academy.
Trooper David Hernandez earned the Physical Fitness Award. Trooper Maximillian Schwetje and Patrolman Keishawn Mansfield of Georgetown Police Department received the Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award.
Patrolman Horace Rose of Georgetown Police Department received the Core Value Award. Schwetje also received the Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Award.
Patrolman Autumn Potter of Millsboro Police Department earned the Attorney General’s Award for Legal Excellence, and Officer Eric Johnson of Middletown Police Department received the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police Award.
Trooper Gabriel Hayes received the Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award.
The new troopers include Damian Alexander, Justin Altemus, Gavin Burton, Shawn Church, Jonathan Crist, Gracie Frech, Nicolas Gaspich, Miller Gladding, Gabriel Hayes, Raymond Hearns, David Hernandez, Jacob Hudson, Strovenscolv Larochelle, Macy Layfield, Courtney McCloskey, Brendan McKewen, Carlton North, Tyler Sareyka, Maximillian Schwetje and Brock Vincent.
The municipal graduates include Officers Spencer Failing and Gabriel Martin of Delaware Natural Resources Police; Patrolmen Alec Barr, Keishawn Mansfield, Dominick Redshaw and Horace Rose of Georgetown Police Department; Officers Eric Johnson and Yordi Ventura of Middletown Police Department; and Patrolman Autumn Potter of Millsboro Police Department.
For Delaware communities, the graduation adds 29 newly trained officers to agencies statewide as departments continue efforts to maintain staffing levels and public safety coverage.
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