OLYMPIA—The Washington State Patrol (WSP) added 47 newly commissioned troopers to its ranks on March 27 during the 118th Trooper Basic Training (TBTC) graduation ceremony held at the state Capitol Rotunda. Six of the 47 graduates will be assigned to Snohomish County.

The graduation marks the completion of more than 1,400 hours of rigorous training, including classroom and practical exercises at the WSP Academy in Shelton. The training culminated with a coaching trip where the cadets worked the roads alongside field training officers.

The combined efforts of the 118th TBTC class resulted in 9,065 driver contacts, 3,069 calls for service, the removal of 540 impaired drivers from our roadways, and 976 collision investigations during their two-month long coaching trip.

Washington State Supreme Court Justice Sheryl Gordon McCloud swore in the new troopers as the rotunda erupted with applause and cheers from family, friends, and colleagues.

Chief John R. Batiste, a member of the 55th Trooper Basic Training Class, thanked the new troopers and their families for their dedication to being a part of the future of the agency.

“It’s a great day, for it has arrived,” Chief John Batiste said to the graduates during Wednesday’s ceremony. “To the graduates of the 118th TBTC, let me be the first to say – congratulations troopers.”

Chief Batiste alongside Governor Jay Inslee congratulated each graduate, providing them with their commission cards signifying they were now officially a commissioned WSP trooper.

“Today you will officially join the ranks of outstanding men and women – those here beside me, and many others around the state,” Chief Batiste said. “Over the course of 103 years, you and just over 4,000 others could call themselves Washington State troopers.”

WSP Academy Captain Robert W. Sharpe recognized several members of the class for excelling in aspects of specific skills and abilities, including:

Top Academic Award: Trooper Claudia S. Wagner
This award recognizes the outstanding efforts of the cadet who attains the highest-grade point average compiled more than 30 exams and quizzes. The award was officially re-named in honor of WSP fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd, who also received the award as a member of the 116th TBTC.

Top Driving Award: Trooper Cameron J. MacDonald
This award recognizes the highest level of proficiency with respect to driving skills, techniques, decision-making, mindset, and the steady and constant improvement through each phase of drive training.

Top Firearms Award: Trooper Roberto Paniagua
This award recognizes the highest level of proficiency with all weapons systems, marksmanship scores, skills, and demonstration of sound judgement during practical encounter scenarios.

Top Physical Fitness Award: Trooper Kay L. Lester
This award recognizes the highest level of drive and tenacity in physical fitness testing and training. The recipient of this award consistently performed at the top of the TBTC during physical training. The award is named in honor of Trooper Kristopher Sperry, who tragically died off-duty during a house fire in 2010. Trooper Sperry received the Physical Fitness Award as a member of the 97th TBTC.

Top Control Tactics Award: Trooper Claudia S. Wagner
This award recognizes the highest level of proficiency in control tactics techniques, to include self-defense, handcuffing, searching, and the use of force thought process.

Top Collision Investigation Award: Trooper Claudia S. Wagner
This award recognizes the highest level of proficiency regarding collision investigation, including mathematical computation, scene investigation, evidence gathering, report writing, and teamwork.

Top Communications Award: Trooper Andre J. Bonilla
This award recognizes the highest level of efficiency of radio communications knowledge, based upon testing and practical exercises.

Top Overall Cadet Award: Trooper Heather Stokes
This award recognizes the trooper cadet who demonstrated great courage to overcome obstacles, unwavering dedication to stay focused in reaching their goals and their ability to give 100 percent in every aspect of their training. Trooper Hudson demonstrated the necessary skills, abilities, and judgement to be an excellent trooper, and made the efforts to make continuous improvements.

Core Values Award: Trooper Cameron J. MacDonald
The Core Values Award is determined by the anonymous vote of the members of the 118th TBTC, who chooses the classmate they feel best exemplified the training division’s core values of strong leadership, effective partnerships, professional excellence, acting with integrity and accountability, respecting and protecting individual rights, and earning the trust and confidence of the public.

The Core Values Award is sponsored by the WSP Memorial Foundation, and presented in honor of the WSP troopers who gave their live in the line of duty. The award on March 27, 2024, was given in honor of Detective Eric T. Gunderson, who died in the line of duty on September 26, 2021. Trooper Gunderson’s wife, Kami, presented the award to Trooper MacDonald.

The WSP 118th TBTC graduating class assignments

SOURCE: Washington State Patrol