HELENA – The Montana Highway Patrol graduated nine new troopers for MHP’s 65th class on Thursday.
The men and women who graduated completed 20 weeks of rigorous training, many graduates received recognition in areas of physical fitness and academic leadership.
With a room full of family, friends and loved ones, who sat in silence only to rise to their feet in support, as the officers took their first step into their careers ahead after being sworn in.
Brennen Plucker was honored with the Michael Haynes Memorial Grant for his exceptional work in training.
The award is in memory of State Trooper Michael W. Haynes, who was killed on duty in his patrol car that was struck by a drunk driver in March 2009.
After being sworn in Plucker said, “Today’s important to me because this is the next step, this is the transition from my time in training to being out on the road and being able to make the impact that I set out do from the start.”
Plucker’s home station will be in his hometown of Bozeman.
At the ceremony, three other awards were also presented:
- Physical Fitness Award: Isaiah Webber (Awarded for exemplary standards during the physical fitness curriculum in the 65th MHP Academy.)
- 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
