Eight new state troopers graduate

From Public Safety Department spokesman Steve McCausland:

Maine’s eight newest state troopers have received their badges in ceremonies at the Maine Criminal Justice Academy in Vassalboro.  The new troopers completed ten weeks of specialized State Police training, which is in addition to the eighteen weeks of training required for all Maine police officers.  State Police have six other prospective troopers in the current basic police academy, but still have fifteen vacancies in the 330 person department.  Job applications are accepted continually.  The new troopers will now patrol with a veteran trooper before patrolling on their own.

Administrating the oath of office was the Chief of the State Police, Colonel Robert Williams, who told the new troopers, “ You are entering a profession where you see people at their lowest.  Resist being judgmental and always treat everyone with respect and dignity.”

The new troopers are assigned to the following troops –

Troop A (Alfred)  –

Connor Walton has served five years in the Coast Guard.  Walton grew up in Barryville, NY and has been a Maine resident for the past three years.

Troop B  (Gray) –

Jeremy Pyburn has served as a medic in the Maine Army National Guard  and also served in Afghanistan.  He grew up in Hiram, Maine and is a graduate of the University of Maine at Orono.  For the past three years he was worked as a welder.

Troop C  (Skowhegan) –

Garret Booth is a former police officer in Milford, NH.  He and his wife in recent years have trained hunting dogs in Caratunk, Maine.

Daniel Murray is from Belgrade and graduated from Messalonskee High School.  For the past twelve years, he has worked in the security section at the Augusta hospital – Mainegeneral.

Troop D (Augusta) –

Mickael Nunez grew up in Lawrence, MA and graduated from Hope College in Michigan.  He is a member of the Maine Army National Guard.

Sidney Stewart grew up in Rochester, NY where he went to high school and college.  For the past two years, he has worked in the court system in Rochester.

Troop E (Bangor) –

Jeremy Caron grew up in Fairfield and graduated from Lawrence High School and Husson University.  For the past three years, he has served as a Bangor police officer.

Kyle Russell grew up in Batavia, NY and has owned or managed several restaurants. They include the former Bugaboo Creek in Bangor , and Cervesas in Newport, now owned by his wife.