New Troopers join ranks of Arkansas State Police

From Arkansas State Police

BENTON, Arkansas — Forty-nine recruits became Arkansas State Troopers during a graduation ceremony held Thursday evening at the Benton Event Center.

Following months of testing and interviews, the new Troopers were selected from a pool of 430 applicants to join the 2025-A Arkansas State Police (ASP) Training Academy class. The recruits began their 12-week training program on Sept. 28, 2025, at the State Police Training Academy in Little Rock.

Throughout the 710-hour program, recruits completed a rigorous curriculum designed to prepare them for the challenges of law enforcement service. Training areas included criminal and traffic law, accident investigation, firearms proficiency, and defensive tactics.

During the ceremony, the graduates took the oath of office, administered by North Little Rock District Judge Randy Morley.

Col. Mike Hagar, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Public Safety and Director of the Arkansas State Police, Maj. Roby Rhoads, Sgt. Nick Brown, and Cpl. Logan Pate each delivered remarks highlighting the significance of the milestone and the commitment required of every Trooper.

Among those in attendance were members of the ASP senior command staff, Troop and Company commanders, the training section cadre, Arkansas State Police Commissioners, and members of the Arkansas State Police Foundation.

David Bazzel, a University of Arkansas Razorback Hall of Fame football player and media personality, was the keynote speaker.

The new Troopers will report for duty across the state, joining patrol and specialty units within their designated Troops to support ASP’s public safety mission. Each graduate will begin field training under the supervision of experienced Troopers and supervisors, transitioning from the academy environment to real-world service in communities throughout Arkansas.

Special recognition and awards were presented to the recruits who attained the highest scores within the respective training categories listed as follows:

Academics:
1. Adrienne Colvin
2. Austin Green
3. Hannah Slajer

Physical Fitness:
1. Austin Green
2. David Bennett Jr.
3. Michael Steele II

Firearms:
1. Daniel Willey
2. Jackson Sory
3. Nicolas Cato

Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC):
1. David Bennett Jr.
2. Bailey Bowers
3. Nicholas Ramsey

The recruit graduates, their hometown, and their first post assignments are listed as follows:

Company A
Hannah Slajer, Conway

Company E
Tyler Webb, Melbourne

Internet Crimes Against Children
Amber Kalmer, Benton
Donald  “DJ” Kolb, Fort Smith

Interstate Criminal Patrol
Joshua Middleton, Judsonia

Troop A
Austin Green, Alexander
Noel Lyons, Benton
Dustin Medford, Sherwood
Nicholas Ramsey, Bauxite
Cody Smith, Jacksonville
Matthew Tucker, Damascus

Troop B
Jason Crossland, Heber Springs
Robert Tyler Lisenbee, Edgemont
Jessica Smith, El Paso

Troop C
Moisses Arellano, Black Oak
Daniel Willey, Jonesboro
Daniel Young, Jonesboro

Troop D
David Bennett, Wynne
Dillion Cook, Hazen
Cody Groves, McCrory
Robert Block Meyer, Wynne
Mason Peoples, Goodwin
William Kane Reynolds, Pleasant Plains
Michael Steele II, Harrisburg

Troop E
Reagan Eades, Jefferson
Hunter Mealer, Prattsville
Bradley Stevens, Stuttgart

Troop G
Adrienne Colvin, Magnolia
Carter Emerson, Hot Springs
Ryan Mareno, Texarkana, TX.
Acxsel Rios, Hot Springs
Hunter Scott, Taylor
Jason Tellez, Texarkana

Troop H
Tanner Mathis, Fort Smith
Jose Miguel Perez-Roque, Fort Smith
Jackson Sory, Ozark
Alexander Theodore, Alma

Troop I
Tyler Jorgensen, Fox

Troop J
Mary Burkhart, Van Buren
Nicolas Cato, Hot Springs
Corey Jarman, Russellville
Daniel Josiah Masterson, Lamar
Anthony Montano, Hot Springs
Brandon Rogers, Solgohachia

Troop K
Richard Davis, Royal
Zachary Hoofman, Royal
Stephen Parrott, Hot Springs 

Troop L
Bailey Bowers, Rogers, Class Leader
Timothy Butler, Prairie Grove