Four Southern Ohioans Among Latest OSP Academy Graduation Class

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(Columbus) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s 172nd Academy Class has graduated after 30 weeks of training. Four of the graduates are from southern Ohio.

Representative Tracy M. Richardson, District 86, Ohio House of Representatives delivered the commencement address to the 39 members of the Patrol’s Academy Class. The Honorable Judge David A. Trimmer, Fairfield County Court of Common Pleas, issued the Oath of Office.

Courses completed by the class include crash investigation, criminal and traffic law, detection of impaired drivers, firearms, physical fitness, self-defense, and emergency vehicle operations.

The southern Ohioans who graduated among the 39 cadets are:
*Christopher Schneider of Frankfort, assigned to the Wilmington Post
*Gabriel Morrell of Portsmouth, assigned to the Chillicothe Post
*Keon Keels of Portsmouth, assigned to Chillicothe Post
*Ethan Duncan of Ironton, assigned to Athens Post

Five graduates received special honors for top performance in various fields of study at the Training Academy. The honorees were:

• Overall performance – Trooper Michael J. Moerch, Springfield Post
• Top performance in academics – Trooper Joshua M. Knipp, Steubenville Post
• Top performance in driving – Trooper Dakota C. Coniglio, Batavia Post
• Top performance in firearms – Trooper Brody M. Vess, Wilmington Post
• Top performance in physical fitness – Trooper Michael J. Moerch, Springfield Post

Graduates begin reporting to their posts on Sunday, November 19. 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 30 of the Patrol’s 59 posts.