Woodland Native Earns High Honors at PSP Academy

HARRISBURG - Gov. Edward G. Rendell announced that 87 men and women joined the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police following their graduation Friday from the State Police Academy in Hershey.

"We are counting on these new troopers to help Pennsylvania better protect its residents and ensure the safety of our communities,” Rendell said. “These individuals have received the highest level of police training and are well prepared to face the many challenges of law enforcement.”

Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green was the principal speaker at the ceremony, which was held at Central Dauphin High School. Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski offered remarks and Cadet Tabitha C. Arner of Leechburg, Armstrong County, spoke on behalf of the cadet class.

Cadet Dennis D. Peters of Woodland, Clearfield County, was named the outstanding cadet by his classmates and instructors, receiving the American Legion Award. Peters was one of three cadets from Clearfield County to graduate from this class.

Also receiving awards were:

• Cadet Brandon R. LaBar of Bethlehem, Northampton County – Daniel F. Dunn High Scholastic Award;
• Cadet Zachary J. Mitchell of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County – Charles B. Gesford High Pistol Award;
• Cadet Craig M. Acord of Richboro, Bucks County – Col. Paul J. Chylak Memorial Driver Proficiency Award; and
• Cadet Levi F. Dively of Garrett, Somerset County – John K. Schafer Memorial Physical Fitness Award.

Major John W. Laufer III, director of the state police Bureau of Training and Education, supervised the training of the class, which was the 130th class to graduate from the State Police Academy in Hershey since it opened in 1960.

The graduates come from 44 counties in Pennsylvania. They have been assigned to seven troops across the state and will report to their stations on Nov. 30.

Editor’s Note: A list of graduates and their home towns, arranged by the location of their troop assignment, follows:

Troop A, Greensburg, Westmoreland County
Tabitha C. Arner of Leechburg, Armstrong County
Anthony D. Baum Jr. of New Alexandria, Westmoreland County
Patrick B. Hauser of Latrobe, Westmoreland County
Joshua B. Johnson of Connellsville, Fayette County
Jonathan A. Lindsay of Irwin, Westmoreland County
Justin R. Werner of Butler, Butler County

Troop B, Washington, Washington County
Andrew J. Barron of Somerset, Somerset County
Andrew E. Bobanic of Hookstown, Beaver County
Nathan L. Brown of Butler, Butler County
Timothy M. Jamieson of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Brandon L. Johnston of New Bethlehem, Clarion County
Zachary J. Mitchell of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
William C. Peake of Aliquippa, Beaver County
Andrew Prizzi of Penn Hills, Allegheny County
Richard J. Sizer of New Castle, Lawrence County
Marc A. Ziegler of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

Troop E, Erie, Erie County
Jason J. Chamberlin of Spartansburg, Crawford County
Carl N. Lewis of Sheffield, Warren County
John W. Michalak of Cochranton, Crawford County
Christian J. Miller of Strattanville, Clarion County
Paige E. Pifer of Punxsutawney, Jefferson County
Christopher T. Wingard of Jamestown, Crawford County
Joshua L. Zeigler of Erie, Erie County

Troop H, Harrisburg, Dauphin County
Andrew P. Beckwith of Harrisburg, Dauphin County
Jared J. Bruno of Yukon, Westmoreland County
Erik S. Cummings of Middlebury Center, Tioga County
William P. Dick of Harleysville, Montgomery County
Levi F. Dively of Garrett, Somerset County
Justin W. Dorazio of Ligonier, Westmoreland County
James M. Erme Jr. of Hermitage, Mercer County
Joel D. Follmer of Montgomery, Lycoming County
Dana T. Gingerich of Spring Grove, York County
Thomas A. Gornati Jr. of Kersey, Elk County
Daniel E. Grazier of Tyrone, Blair County
Alex M. Grote of Uniontown, Fayette County
James M. Hanning Jr. of Jefferson, Greene County
Corey S. Ickes of Schellsburg, Bedford County
Leah A. Jobes of Uniontown, Fayette County
Joseph M. Kozuch of Somerset, Somerset County
Mark D. Lotz of Milton, Northumberland County
Brent D. Miller of Muncy, Lycoming County
Reeve A. Mott of Canton, Bradford County
Daniel C. Moyer of Duncansville, Blair County
Brian R. O’Connor of Ashland, Schuylkill County
Nathan S. Owens of Morrisdale, Clearfield County
Matthew P. Pavone of Middletown, Dauphin County
Michael J. Predajna of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County
Todd A. Shive of Drifting, Clearfield County
Michael T. Stahl of Summerhill, Cambria County
Jeffrey M. Summits of Davidsville, Somerset County
Michael D. Thompson of Mount Pleasant, Westmoreland County
Shane A. Varner of Lewistown, Mifflin County

Troop J, Lancaster, Lancaster County
Dawn M. Beiswenger of Denver, Lancaster County
Michael A. Bermudez of Reading, Berks County
Daniel L. Clemente of Dresher, Montgomery County
Haley M. Covol of Belle Vernon, Fayette County
Lori B. Edgar of Gap, Lancaster County
Lauren A. Long of Honey Brook, Chester County
Katherine L. Miller of Sinking Spring, Berks County
Dennis D. Peters of Woodland, Clearfield County
Evan R. Terek of Irwin, Westmoreland County
Stefanie L. Trzaska of Ephrata, Lancaster County
James R. Welsh of Fairfield, Adams County

Troop K, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
Walter K. Crump of Folcroft, Delaware County
Stephen M. Dunkle of Mill Hall, Clinton County
Loretta J. Miree of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
Erjon Mollaj of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
Robert G. Pomponio of Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County
Reginald L. Rawls Jr. of Newtown Square, Delaware County
Peter A. Strzelecki of Upper Darby, Delaware County
Michael G. Voetelink of Avoca, Luzerne County

Troop M, Bethlehem, Northampton County
Craig M. Acord of Richboro, Bucks County
Matthew S. Antonow of Easton, Northampton County
Christian E. Bleiler of Schnecksville, Lehigh County
Thomas A. DiMaggio of Milford, Pike County
Justin Humanick of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County
Justin L. Julius of Mountain Top, Luzerne County
Shamus M. Kelleher of Honesdale, Wayne County
Brandon R. LaBar of Bethlehem, Northampton County
Gerald P. Lydon of Scranton, Lackawanna County
Mark R. McDermott of Williamsport, Lycoming County
Jesse J. Oleksza of Little Meadows, Susquehanna County
James P. Rabel of Peckville, Lackawanna County
John J. Stepanski III of White Haven, Luzerne County
Jason A. Traino of Dalton, Lackawanna County
Thomas W. Williams of Allentown, Lehigh County
Stephen M. Zicker of Effort, Monroe County