Nebraska State Patrol Graduates 60th Recruit Class

Fourteen new Nebraska State Troopers received their badges and were sworn-in during a ceremony this morning at the Nebraska State Capitol. The new troopers represent the 60^th Basic Recruit Class in Nebraska State Patrol history.

“Yesterday, Nebraska lost a dedicated and heroic public servant, Trooper Jerry Smith,” said Colonel John Bolduc, Superintendent of the Nebraska State Patrol. “Through that tragedy, we look upon these 14 new troopers starting their careers and truly understand what it means to serve. Their steadfast drive to earn the badge is a testament to the unwavering service they will provide Nebraska.”

At the outset of the ceremony, Colonel Bolduc asked those in attendance to observe a moment of silence to honor the life and service of Trooper Smith, #373.

Governor Pete Ricketts, Attorney General Doug Peterson, and Colonel John Bolduc provided remarks during the ceremony. General Peterson administered the Oath of Office.

The 14 member class of Camp 60 completed 22 weeks of training at the Nebraska State Patrol Training Academy in Grand Island. The extensive training includes hands-on experience as well as more than 1,000 hours of academic instruction. The recruits took dozens of exams, both written and practical, throughout the training camp. All 14 new troopers will begin their career in the NSP Patrol Division or Carrier Enforcement Division, stationed from border to border throughout Nebraska.

Recruit Seth Howard received the Superintendent’s Leadership Award as well as the Captain Mark Williams Core Values Award. Recruit Elliot Schmit was honored with the O. H. Witt Academic Award and the also received the D. R. Shearer Marksmanship Award. Recruit Cole Gibbins was presented the R. J. Buchholz Physical Fitness Award.

The newly-badged troopers will now undergo six months of on-the-job instruction with veteran troopers in the field. The members of the 60^th Recruit Class are listed below, along with their hometowns and new duty assignments.

Name	Hometown	Badge	Duty Station	Assignment
Curtis Anderson	Lincoln, NE	89	Geneva	Troop H
Albert Brooks	Kearney, NE	120	McCook	Troop D
Cole Gibbins	Kearney, NE	130	Sidney	Troop E
Jordan Girardi	Council Bluffs, IA	135	Grand Island	Troop C
Seth Howard	Lincoln, NE	155	Lincoln	Troop H
Kristen McCrea	Brookings, SD	162	South Sioux City	Troop B
Seth Olson	Kearney, NE	175	North Platte	Carrier
Matthew Richardson	Council Bluffs, IA	206	Aurora	Troop C
Elliot Schmit	Omaha, NE	115	Omaha	Troop A
Michael Schmitt	Elkhorn, NE	331	Valentine	Troop D
Nathan Schulz	Fort Calhoun, NE	240	Ogallala	Troop D
Brandon Smith	McCook, NE	346	Sidney	Troop E
Cameron TenEyck	Omaha, NE	290	Fremont	Carrier
Dakota Wilson	Omaha, NE	391	Nebraska City	Carrier