Dec-Jan COHPS Newsletter
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
COHPSCOHPS JANUARY 2018 Concerned Oklahomans for the Highway Patrol Society Newsletter INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Rhoades appointed as DPS Commissioner Chief Harrell promoon 2 On Nov. 14, Gov. Mary Fallin appointed Billy D. “Rusty” Rhoades as Public Safety Commissioner. Thompson award 3 Rhoades began his career with DPS in 1989, Christmas pares 4‐9 serving with the Capitol Patrol. He graduated Oklahoma Trooper Spouses 10 from the 46th OHP Academy in 1991 and held assignments in Troops L (Vinita) and A Purple Heart Awards 11 (Oklahoma City). He was assigned to the FBI COHPS info 12 Gang/Violent Crimes Task Force and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force; he was promoted to Lieutenant in 2003 and Captain in 2006. He served as legislave liaison for DPS, and was promoted to Major in 2009. “I appreciate the confidence Governor Fallin has shown in me,” Rhoades said upon his appointment. “I will work to guide the Department of Public Safety to connued growth, while maintaining the strong tradions and standards of the agency.” Harrell named as OHP Chief Michael S. Harrell has been named to serve as OHP Chief. Harrell is a graduate of the 48th OHP Academy in 1995. Assignments include Troops K (Pawnee), B (Tulsa), J (Enid), C (Muskogee) and XB (Muskogee Turnpike). He promoted to Lieutenant in 2003, to Captain in 2006 and to Major in 2013. He has served as Troop COHPSCOHPS Commander for several Troops. “I am equally humbled and excited by the www.cohps.org opportunity bestowed upon me by the 501(c)(3) organizaon Commissioner,” Harrell said. “I look forward to promong his vision for the Department of Public Safety and connuing our long history of serving the cizens of the great State of Oklahoma.” Promoon ceremony: Col. Michael S. Harrell, Chief of Patrol December 4, 2017 Keli Harrell assists in pinning the collar brass during the promoon ceremony. Col. Harrell’s family: Back row, L‐R: Kaelin Woods (son‐in‐law); Kailan Woods (daughter); JoAnn Graham (step‐mom); Keli Harrell (wife); Cleon Harrell (dad); Tyler Harrell (nephew); Jeff Harrell (brother). Front row: T.H. Harrell (son); Col. Harrell; Lena Harrell (mom). Former Capt. Sco Horton pinned Col. Harrell’s badge and presented a plaque from the family of former Chief Jerry Horton (pictured below right). Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson (le) and Commissioner Rusty Rhoades address aendees. 2 Thompson honored with COHPS Lifetime Award Rered Commissioner Michael C. Thompson was honored at a luncheon on Nov. 30 at the Will Rogers Theatre in Oklahoma City. Jim Laurick, COHPS President, presented Thompson with a Lifeme Award on behalf of the organizaon. Guest speakers included: Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb DPS Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson Agent Brent Fairchild, ABLE General Counsel Steve Krise, DPS Director Stan Florence, OSBI Chief Bill Ciy, OKCPD Jim Laurick, COHPS Commissioner (Ret.) Bob Ricks Director John Scully, OBNDD Agent Ken Valenne, USSS Jusce Joe Wa Agent Raul Bujanda, FBI Agent Richard Salter, DEA OHP Capt. Randy Rogers #28 on behalf of the 45th OHP Academy Thompson’s rerement plaque was presented by Chief Ricky Adams (at right: Adams, Thompson, Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson). Photos: Russell Perkins, ODOT Lt. Gov. Todd Lamb, Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson, General Counsel Steve Krise, COHPS President Jim Laurick and Capt. Randy Rogers #28 were among the speakers at the rerement luncheon. 3 Commissioners’Commissioners’ andand Chief’sChief’s ChristmasChristmas receptionreception The Commissioners’ and Chief’s Christmas luncheon, sponsored by COHPS, took place on Thursday, Dec. 7. Pictured below, L‐R: Ginger Greene, Steve Krise, Billie Watkins, George Randolph and Wanda Blair served the meal for DPS employees. Boom: Gyda Davidson, Chaplain Sam Garner, Chief Mike Harrell, and Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson ready to receive guests. Le: DPS employees enjoying the meal. Commissioner Rusty Rhoades was unable to aend. Photos: Anne Shirley 4 Each year, COHPS sponsors Christmas pares for acve and ChristmasChristmas partiesparties rered Troopers, support staff members and families across the state. This year, COHPS sponsored more than 30 celebraons. M Photos and info submied by Marsha Cowart Troop M hosted their kids’ Christmas party at the Skate Place in Altus on Dec. 2. Pictured above le, back row L‐R: Trp. Shawn Laughlin #324, Trp. Kyle Shaw #536, Lt. George Dickerson #144, Trp. Chris Sherman #661, Trp. Jusn Wheeler #550. Third row: Trp. C.J. Williams #777, Trp. Ryan Hayes #282, Lt. Richard VanHorn #159, Capt. Paul Chrisan #53, Trp. John Tinsley #682, Lt. Steve Pothorst #172. Second row: Rered Lt. Mike Holloway, Trp. Jimmy Wallace #734, Trp. Alex Wilson #265, Trp. Sco Hazle #907, Rered Asst. Commissioner Larry Alexander, Rered Trooper Dennis Ratzlaff, Rered Trooper Will Rogers. Front row: Rered Trooper Bob Beers, Troop M’s oldest rered Trooper at age 96. Pictured above right, back row L‐R: Zeke Rogers, Beau Rogers, Makenna Hayes, Riley Hayes, Maci Hayes, Elf (Trp. Alex Wilson #265), Julie Pendergra, Jamie Pendergra. Front row: Dusn Best, Adelyn Wallace, Jagger Wheeler, Santa (DL Examiner Rod Millard), Easton Tinsley, Brooklyn Tinsley, Jusce Wheeler, Hadley Wallace. K Photos and info submied by Jennifer Rupp Troop K had their Christmas party on Dec. 1 at Mexico Joe’s in Sllwater. Almost 70 people aended, including Commissioner Rusty Rhoades and his wife. There was also a raffle for a shotgun, benefing Trp. Todd Hatche, who was involved in a major motorcycle accident in September. Hatche’s family was in aendance and thanked everyone for their contribuons and prayers. He is now recovering in room 5312 at the Jim Thorpe Rehabilitaon Center, 4219 S. Western Ave., Oklahoma City, and the family encourages visitors to come by as it brightens his day. Troop K would like to thank COHPS for generously donang for the Christmas celebraon year aer year! Pictured above, L‐R: Trp. Robert Regnier #219, Trp. Jusn Lilesun #560, Trp. Brian Rose #605, Trp. Chris Vaughan #832, Trp. Steve Burrows #202, Commissioner Rusty Rhoades, Lt. Preston Lay #177, Lt. Gabe Leach #167, Trp. Jason Ross #845, Lt. Ricky Gunkel #63, Trp. Derek Fry #298. 5 ChristmasChristmas partiesparties (cont’d)(cont’d) G Photos and info submied by Katherine White The Troop G Christmas party took place at the Grady County Fairgrounds in Chickasha on Dec. 2. Pictured at right: Madison Briscoe, daughter of Trp. Chris Black #206; Santa Claus (played by CO Brandon Johnson); Capt. John Paul #30. More photos from the Troop G party on page 8. S & R Photos and info submied by Charloe Fullbright On Friday, Dec. 8, Captain David Moffi #20 and his administrave staff hosted a Christmas Luncheon for both Troop S and Troop R personnel and many other guests. There was a mountain of tradional Christmas foods. Cpt. Moffi smoked all the meats and administrave staff members prepared all the sides, as well as tons of homemade candies. A good me was had by all Pictured at le: Capt. David Moffi #20, Chaplain Sam Garner, and Troop S personnel. Le photo: Rered Trp. “Flipper” Ellyson with Lt. Brian Orr #93 and wife Krista Orr. Center: Commissioner Rusty Rhoades with rered Secretary Carolyn Rawlings. Right: Troop R Secretary Kelley Gazaway and Troop S Secretary Charloe Fullbright. 6 ChristmasChristmas partiesparties (cont’d)(cont’d) ES Photos and info submied by Barbara Adams Troop ES had their Christmas luncheon, sponsored by COHPS, on Dec. 13. Van’s Pig Stand catered. Top Le, L‐R: Trp. Tony Rumpl #492, Trp. Nate Starks #728, Armed Security Officer Danny Travis, secretary Barbara Adams, Capt. Gary Vinson #43, Trp. Jason Lanier #397, Lt. Marc Page #96, Trp. Scoy Beamon #346, Trp. Clayton Dodge #891, Trp. A.J. Jamerson #468, Trp. Steve Johnson #263 and Trp. Calvin Symes #789 Top right: Trp. Jason Lanier #397, Trp. Tony Rumpl #492, inmate Elissa, and Trp. Bo Mowdy #475. Photos and info submied by Anne Shirley Z Troop Z’s Christmas party took place at Café 7 on Dec. 8. Guests from across the state came dressed in their favorite ugly Christmas sweaters and took part in a “Dirty Santa” gi exchange. Host for the event was Capt. Jason Holt #49. Troop Z said they would like to extend a very special thank‐you to COHPS for their selfless service to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and their connued support of Troopers across the state. C&ES C&ES (Communicaon and Electronic Services) had their Christmas party on Dec. 15 in the C&ES office area at the I‐240 building in Oklahoma City. 7 ChristmasChristmas partiesparties (cont’d)(cont’d) G (cont’d) Photos and info submied by Kami Hamman The Troop G Christmas party took place Dec. 2 in Grady County, with acve and rered Troopers and families in aendance. Santa Claus himself even made a surprise appearance, with the help of CO Brandon Johnson. Pictured below with Santa, L‐R: Cayson Comer, son of Trp. Corey Comer #330; Moriah Paul, daughter of Capt. John Paul #30; Caleb Paul, son of Capt. John Paul #30; Kole Black, son of Trp. Chris Black #206. E Photo: Jerry Don Henry The Troop E party took place Dec. 8 at the First Bapst Church in Atoka. Many Troopers and their families, communicaons personnel, and rerees aended. Pictured at le: Trp. B.J. Keeling #521 and Wava Denito. 8 ChristmasChristmas partiesparties (cont’d)(cont’d) The Troop L, XA/XD party was held Dec. 14 at the Adair High School cafeteria. Pictured below: Capt. John Starling #55 and Capt. Gary Isbell L, XA/XD #36 with Santa Claus. Photos: Jerry Don Henry YE Photo: Jerry Don Henry The Troop YE party took place Dec. 14 at Express Ranches in Yukon.