RICHMOND, Va. — On Friday, August 23, 2024, 21 new troopers will graduate from the Virginia State Police Academy, becoming the latest members to join the force dedicated to serving and protecting the Commonwealth. The commencement ceremony for the 141st Basic Session will be held at 10 a.m. at the State Police Training Academy in North Chesterfield County, with Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears delivering the keynote address.
“It is always a great day when we add quality, upstanding men and women to our ranks,” said Colonel Gary T. Settle, Superintendent of the Virginia State Police. “Our recruiting staff is committed to ensuring the citizens of Virginia have the strongest department possible, and troopers who have the highest levels of professionalism.”
The new troopers have completed over 1,300 hours of rigorous classroom and field instruction across more than 100 subjects, including de-escalation techniques, strategies to assist individuals in mental health crises, ethics and leadership, fair and impartial policing, constitutional law, emergency medical trauma care, and public and community relations. Their training began on January 29, 2024, and spanned 28 weeks.
Upon receiving their diplomas, the new graduates will report to their respective duty assignments across Virginia. They will then embark on the final phase of their training, spending six weeks paired with a Field Training Officer to learn their new patrol areas.
The 141st Basic Session includes troopers from various regions of Virginia and states across the country, including California, Connecticut, Indiana, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
141st Basic Graduating Class:
- Chad Everett Brown – Evansville, Ind. – Henrico
- Sammie Lee Buckhanon, Jr. – Newport News, Va. – Springfield
- Emmerson LeGrant Carmichael, Jr. – Catlett, Va. – Arlington
- Andrew Lawrence James Coe – Holland Patent, N.Y. – Chesterfield
- Kenneth Ray Cooper, Jr. – Monroe, La. – Norfolk/Virginia Beach
- Aiden M. Davis – Rutherford, N.J. – Norfolk/Virginia Beach
- Alec Jae Ellard – Decaturville, Tenn. – Henry
- Mitchell Patrick Fredrickson – Martinsburg, W. Va. – Bedford
- Frank J. Jackson, Jr. – Pitman, N.J. – Rockingham
- Aaron Michael Lawson-Gradle – Simi Valley, Calif. – Norfolk/Virginia Beach
- Bradley Gerald Little – Menifee, Calif. – Orange
- Michael Carmel Mabry, Jr. – Buckingham, Va. – Henrico
- Jacob Lee Maxfield – Russell, Va. – Augusta
- Brian Heraughty McCabe – Madison, Conn. – Augusta
- Hayden Joshua Mick – Staunton, Va. – Augusta
- Tiago M. Moreira – Boston, Mass. – Rockingham
- Joshua Emmanuel Phillips – Brodnax, Va. – Greensville
- Randy A. Taylor – Bridgeport, Conn. – Accomack
- Jackson Timothy Ulmer – Fredericksburg, Va. – Bedford
- Russell L. Williams, IV – Richmond, Va. – Henrico
- Patrick Michael Young – Woodford, Va. – Accomack
The 141st Basic Session has adopted the motto, “A Trooper’s Job Is Never Done,” reflecting their commitment to ongoing service and duty.
For more information, please visit the Virginia State Police website or contact the Public Information Office.
