40 Officers graduate from Patrol's Basic Peace Officer Class

COLUMBUS — Members of the 148th Basic Peace Officer Class received training certificates during a graduation ceremony held Friday afternoon at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy. The 40 graduates will assume duties as peace officers for 19 Ohio agencies. The 21-week basic course began in February. The course was developed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and offers comprehensive instruction in more than 150 topics, including criminal law, traffic law, community relations, physical training, self-defense, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing and electronic speed measuring devices. Tyler A. Thompson, Medina Police Department, was selected as class speaker by his fellow class members and addressed the assembly. Class honors went to the following:Overall Top Performer — Melissa A. Echler, Maumee Police DivisionTop Academics — Grace K. Ruhenkamp, Sidney Police DepartmentTop Firearms — Samuel E. Weihrauch, Findlay Police DepartmentTop Physical Fitness — Emily A. Beeman, Bowling Green State University Police DepartmentTop Driving — Dane T. Hullibarger, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Watercraft Sheriff Malcum J. "Jamie" Patton, Union County Sheriff's Office, was the featured speaker for the ceremony and addressed the graduates and an audience of friends, relatives and law enforcement officers. Ohio Department of Public Safety Assistant Director Karen Huey and Lieutenant Colonel Charles J. Linek, Patrol Assistant Superintendent, both provided remarks. List of graduates and their agencies: Emily A. Beeman, Bowling Green State University Police DepartmentAlex M. Clark, McConnelsville Police DepartmentBailey A. Cole, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftBrooke N. Colvin, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftKameron S. Cozart, Reynoldsburg Division of PoliceAndrew W. Decker, Marion Police DepartmentMelissa A. Echler, Maumee Police DivisionDylan R. Erdmann, Lima Police DepartmentAbigail J. Fryman, Marion Police DepartmentHayden R. Harrison, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftAlex D. Helton, Sidney Police DepartmentChristopher C. Howard, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftDane T. Hullibarger, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftJacob M. Ishmael, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftBrandon G. James, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftChase R. Keller, Maumee Police DivisionAnthony D. Kovach, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftMatthew J. Kudlo, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftEleni Manouselis, Ohio University Police DepartmentKayla C. Martin, Bowling Green State University Police DepartmentNathan J. Matejka, Mentor Police DepartmentSarah A. McConnell, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftJustin R. Mead, Reynoldsburg Division of PoliceZachary A. Mettler, Wadsworth Police DepartmentAngus J. Nietert, Mentor Police DepartmentFermin Olivera, Stark County Sheriff's OfficeJared C. Pollock, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftScott J. Reed, Sylvania Township Police DepartmentGrace K. Ruhenkamp, Sidney Police DepartmentAaron G. Simpson, Columbus Regional Airport Authority Police DepartmentTyrek D. Smith, Whitehall Division of PoliceChristian N. Storey, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftTyler A. Thompson, Medina Police DepartmentJack D. Todd, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftJames M. Tommer, Hamilton Police DepartmentNathan T. Urban, Hamilton Police DepartmentRiley J. Vertosnik, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Parks and WatercraftDalton J. Weber, Medina Police DepartmentSamuel E. Weihrauch, Findlay Police DepartmentJoseph R. Weimer, Bedford Heights Police Department