COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol held a graduation ceremony for 47 cadets today at the Patrol’s Training Academy.

The Patrol’s 148th Academy Class graduated today after 31 weeks of rigorous law enforcement training. G. Michael Payton, Executive Director, Ohio Civil Rights Commission, provided key-note remarks for the ceremony. Director Henry Guzmán, Ohio Department of Public Safety; Colonel Richard H. Collins, Patrol Superintendent; Judge Peter B. Abele, Fourth Appellate District, Ohio Court of Appeals and Reverend Richard D. Ellsworth, Chaplain, Ohio State Highway Patrol, all addressed the graduates and presented their commissions and certificates of training.

Courses completed by the 148th class included firearms, traffic and criminal laws, self-defense, cultural sensitivity and crash investigation training. Cadets also drove on the performance track at the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy (OPOTA) in London.

Michael R. Hively of Maineville, Ohio, was selected class speaker and thanked the Academy and the families of the Cadets for being so supportive during their training.

Five of the graduates received special honors for top performance in various fields of study at the Patrol Academy. The honorees are:

• Overall performance – Matthew P. Robinson of Huber Heights, Ohio
• Top performance in firearms – Nickolas B. Goodnite of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
• Top performance in driving – Thomas P. Halko of Youngstown, Ohio
• Top performance in physical training – Nathan D. Morris of Chandersville, Ohio
• Top performance in academics – Christopher G. Seambos of Toledo, Ohio

Each of the graduates will report to their posts on Monday, December 17. The graduates’ first 60 working days will be a field-training period under the guidance of a veteran officer. The new graduates are assigned to 23 of the Patrol’s 55 posts

148th Academy Class Roster with Hometown and Assignment