Montana Highway Patrol Commissions Nine New Troopers
Recruitment begins soon for next MHP Advanced Academy
HELENA – The Montana Highway Patrol commissioned nine new troopers today at the 65th Advanced Academy Graduation ceremony. Chief Deputy Attorney General Jon Bennion addressed the graduates at the event, which took place at the Great Northern Hotel in Helena.
In his remarks, Chief Deputy Attorney General Bennion reminded the graduates their skills and character will be put to the test, both on duty and off. “You must take all of this with the utmost seriousness, but do not fear. Just as steel is strengthened in the forge of fire, so will you be made better by challenge and adversity,” Bennion said. “And without a doubt, when you may not even know it, you will be making an impression on some young boy or girl to want to be here one day – graduating from training and heading out to the field,” Bennion added.
At the ceremony, four awards were presented:
Physical Fitness Award
Isaiah Webber
Awarded for exemplary standards during the physical fitness curriculum in the 65th MHP Academy.
The Michael Haynes Memorial Grant
End of Watch: March 27, 2009
This grant is presented to: Brennen Plucker
This award was presented in loving memory of Trooper Michael W. Haynes – MHP 159 by his wife, Tawny Haynes.
Academic Award
Taylor Gagnon
Awarded for exemplary standards during the academic curriculum in the 65thMHP Academy.
Camp Commander Award
Isaiah H. Webber and Christopher Benson
Awarded for exemplary standards and performance observed by the Camp Commanders in the 65th MHP Academy.
Members of the 65th academy class include:
Jacob Ayers
Hometown: Frenchtown, Montana
Initial station: Sidney
Christopher Benson
Hometown: Hamilton, Montana
Initial station: Big Sky
Sam Eccles
Hometown: Helena, Montana
Initial station: Bozeman
T’Elle Evans
Hometown: Wolf Point, Montana
Initial station: Wolf Point
Taylor Gagnon
Hometown: Victor, Montana
Initial station: Bozeman
Eric Gardner
Hometown: Billings, Montana
Initial station: Billings
Cade Hill
Hometown: Taylorsville, Utah
Initial station: Havre
Brennen Plucker
Hometown: Bozeman, Montana
Initial station: Bozeman
Isaiah Webber
Hometown: Browning, Montana
Initial station: Cut Bank
On a related note, the Montana Highway Patrol will begin accepting applications for ten Trooper positions. Interested individuals should visit MHP’s website for further details and application instructions when this link is made active on March 4: https://dojmt.gov/highwaypatrol/. For more information about the Trooper selection process and requirements, contact MHP at 1-(877) 8-PATROL toll-free or (406) 444-3259.
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