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Bristol, IN- On December 19, 2019, thirty-seven new troopers graduated from the 79th Indiana State Police Recruit Academy after completing a journey of 25 weeks of intense training. The recruits completed over 1,100 hours of academic and hands-on training in criminal and traffic law, crash investigation, emergency vehicle operations, defensive tactics, firearms, and other classes necessary for modern policing.
Eight of the troopers were assigned to the Indiana State Police Toll Road Post and will now begin more than three months of field training working next to several different experienced field training officers. After successfully completing this phase the troopers will be issued their own police cars and begin solo patrol on the Indiana Toll Road.
Trooper Jordin Bilthuis graduated from Manteno High School in Manteno, IL before attending Kankakee Community College in Kankakee, IL. Trooper Bilthuis will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in Lake and Porter Counties.
Trooper Lawrence Joyner graduated from Chicago Military Academy Bronzeville in Chicago, IL. He went on to study Criminal Justice at Kennedy-King College in Chicago, IL. Trooper Joyner will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in Lake and Porter Counties.
Trooper Alvin Best Jr. is a graduate of Portage High School in Portage, IN. He studied Criminal Justice while attending Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. Trooper Best will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in Porter, LaPorte, and St. Joseph Counties.
Trooper Tyler Vermillion is a graduate of Plymouth High School in Plymouth, IN. After graduating from high school, Trooper Vermillion served for five years in the United States Marine Corps. Trooper Vermillion will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in Porter, LaPorte, and St. Joseph Counties.
Trooper George Youpel is a graduate of St. Rita High School in Chicago, IL. He attended Trine University in Angola, IN and graduated with a double major in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Prior to joining the Indiana State Police he served with the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office for three years. Trooper Youpel will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in LaGrange and Steuben Counties.
Trooper Michael Bumbaugh is a graduate of Wawasee High School in Syracuse, IN. After graduating from high school, Trooper Bumbaugh served for four years in the United States Marine Corps. Prior to joining the Indiana State Police Trooper Bumbaugh was a member of the Syracuse Police Department for six years. Trooper Bumbaugh will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in LaGrange and Steuben Counties.
Trooper Zachary McKenzie graduated from Dexter High School in Dexter, MI. before studying Criminal Justice at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI. Trooper McKenzie will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in LaGrange and Steuben Counties.
Trooper Brandon Johnson is a graduate of Warsaw High School in Warsaw, IN. After graduating from high school, Trooper Johnson joined the Army National Guard. Trooper Johnson will patrol the Indiana Toll Road primarily in LaGrange and Steuben Counties.
Attached- Picture of Indiana State Police Toll Road Troopers (L to R): McKenzie, Vermillion, Joyner, Best Jr., Youpel, Bilthuis, Bumbaugh, Johnson
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