COHPSCOHPS SEPTEMBER 2018 Concerned Oklahomans for the Society Newsletter INSIDE THIS ISSUE: COHPS sponsors 49th Annual 2017 award recipients 2

65th Academy graduation 3 DPS Awards Luncheon

Promotions 4, 5

OHP Out & About 4, 6

Roy Rogers’ OLERS honor 7

Oklahoma Trooper Spouses 8

About COHPS 9

Photo: Elise Rinta

COHPS, along with AAA and the Oklahoma State Troopers Association, sponsored the 49th Annual Department of Public Safety Awards Luncheon on Sept. 13. The event took place at the Edmond Conference Center, and both uniformed and civilian DPS employees were honored. Trp. Mike Shanholtzer #720 (pictured above with Col. Michael Harrell, DPS Commissioner Rusty Rhoades, and Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson) received the 2017 Trooper of the Year Award for an incident near Wynnewood in March, 2017. Shanholtzer responded to a collision in which a motorcyclist and was critically injured. EMS personnel were delayed in their arrival due to a railroad crossing, so Shanholtzer cared for the victim until paramedics COHPSCOHPS arrived. Medical personnel believe that his demeanor, quick action and presence of mind undoubtedly saved the motorcyclist’s life. OHP Chief Michael Harrell presented a Special Recognition Award to seven OHP Troopers www.cohps.org who responded to Houston, Texas, following Hurricane Harvey. 501(c)(3) organization Six Troopers were presented with individual Chief’s Awards for acts of exemplary service during 2017. A complete list of award recipients and additional photos can be found on Page 2. “We are very grateful to the COHPS organization for their sponsorship of this year’s awards luncheon,” Rhoades said. “Their support of our Troopers and families, both active and retired, provides an invaluable support to our organization throughout the year and across the entire state.”

2017 award recipients

Trooper of the Year: Trp. Mike Shanholtzer #720, Troop F Communications Officers of the Year: Francine Singleton, Troop A; Jennifer Hilliard, Troop A Chief’s Awards (individual): Trp. Cole Patterson #599, Troop O (Aircraft); Trp. Matthew Ledbetter #388, Traffic Homicide; Lt. Michael Yelton #141, Troop YB (); Trp. Donald Kraft #920, Troop J; Trp. Timothy Baker #260, Traffic Homicide; Trp. Tommy Richardson #675, Troop E. Chief’s Special Recognition Award (group, all from Troop W): Lt. Michael Roe #77, Trp. Brian “B.J.” Gage #207, Trp. Daniel Proctor #827, Trp. Amy Cobalt #874, Trp. Jamie Futral #899, Trp. Scott Lee #923, Trp. Shaun Vann #937. Administrative Professional of the Year: Stafona Nichols, DPS Finance Division Career Achievement Award: Tessa Rinke, DPS Human Resources Division Commissioner’s Awards: Sandra Boies, Troop S (honored for 2017 work in DPS Human Resources Division); Melodie Luke-Coleman, DPS Size and Weights Permits Division. Paul W. Matthews Award for Community Service: Trp. Jennifer Fisher #434, Troop ES (Executive Security)

Photos: Elise Rinta

2 65th Academy graduation June 15

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol added 29 new Troopers to its ranks with the graduation of the 65th OHP Academy class on Friday, June 15. The ceremony took place at Memorial Road Church of Christ in Edmond. Thunder General Manager Sam Presti was the keynote speaker. Chief Justice Douglas L. Combs, Supreme Court of Oklahoma, administered the oath of office. The Academy began on January 24 with 46 cadets in attendance. The graduates successfully completed 20 weeks of intensive training and will be assigned to OHP Troops across Oklahoma.

Troop assignments

Photos: Elise Rinta

3 Photo: Elise Rinta

On Monday, July 23, 14 OHP Troopers were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant. The ceremony took place in the Robert R. Lester Training Center in Oklahoma City.

New Lieutenants include: Clayton Fredrickson #82, Christopher Liles #103, Colby Overstreet #87, Dwight Durant #109, Derek Griffey #131, Ronald Shatsar #134, Larry King #137, Colby Cason #136, Bryant Harris #95, Christopher Hunter #147, Chance Husted

OHP and DPS officials, including Commissioner Rusty Rhoades, Chief Michael Harrell, Chief of Staff Gerald Davidson, Lt. Col. Russell Maples, Lt. Col. James Wilson, and many other staff members, friends and family members gathered to honor 14 newly promoted

Photo provided

Representatives from law enforcement agencies and other first responders gathered in Moore on Aug. 7 for National Night Out, a nationwide annual community- building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie.

Pictured at left: OHP Trp. Johnny Crisp #255; OHP Trp. Jeff Stroud #478; OBN Special Agent K.A. Hancock; OHP Lt. Drew Hamilton #175; OHP Lt. Kera Philippi #161.

4 LIEUTENANT PROMOTIONS July 23, 2018 - see info on pg. 4

Photos: Elise Rinta

5 Photos provided

Trp. Adrian Carrillo #382, K-9 “Jade,” Trp. Brian Rose #605, OHP/DPS personnel attended the Collinsville Law Trp. James Armstrong #246, and Trp. Derek Hempel #798 Enforcement Appreciation Cook-Out on Thursday, Aug. 9. found some new friends at lunch time. Armstrong said of Pictured, L-R: Lt. Colby Overstreet #87, Communications the young Troopers-to-be: “The future is looking good!” Lt. Mike Donegan, Trp. Matt Hughart #527, Trp. Cody Willis #860, Trp. Whit Cochran #667, Lt. Dwight Durant (Faces of children are hidden when we have not received a #109, Trp. Jamie Guinn #434. guardian’s permission to publish their photos.)

Members of the Oklahoma City media were invited to attend a K-9 training session hosted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives July 11 at the Oklahoma City Fairgrounds. Training for the National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) for explosive-detecting K-9 officers and their handlers took place over three days, with 26 dog/handler teams from law enforcement agencies and military bases in Oklahoma, Texas and Kansas attending. Pictured above left: Trp. John Wheeler #958 and K-9 “Bill.” Above right: Lt. Mike Norman #111 and K-9 “Bob.” Norman said, “This type of training will let you know if your dog knows his trained odors or not, or if your odors have been cross-contaminated, which can be common if you do not keep proper equipment to prevent this. OHP K-9s had four present and all four worked very well.”

OHP personnel took part in “Cops N Kids” at the Heart of Oklahoma Expo Center in Shawnee on Aug. 25. Pictured at left is four- year-old Kamden Sparkman, son of Lt. Kera Philippi #161 and Trp. Kevin Sparkman #399, along with his pals Trp. Matthew Snyder #828, Trp. Paul Staggs #641, Trp. Adam Post #407, and Trp. Joe Porter #275.

6 Roy Rogers honored by OLERS for 50 years of state service

Roy Rogers, who retired from OHP in 2010, was honored July 19 by Oklahoma Law Enforcement Retirement System for 50 years of service to the State of Oklahoma. Rogers, badge #418, was a graduate of the 24th OHP Academy in 1968 and served in various assignments across the state, as well as serving as president of the Oklahoma State Troopers Association. He served on the OLERS board since 1994 and as board president since July of 1995, making him the longest-serving president in OLERS history. DPS Commissioner Rusty Rhoades presented Rogers with a plaque honoring his service and a commendation from Gov. .

Photos: Elise Rinta

Top left: Rogers with Commissioner Rusty Rhoades. Bottom left: OHP Chaplain Sam Garner, Rogers, COHPS President Jim Laurick, Commissioner Rhoades. Near left: Rogers with the first OLERS director, Mary Haning.

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7 Oklahoma Trooper Spouses

Submitted by Kayla Burch, President

Oklahoma Trooper Spouses has had a wonderful summer, and is busy gearing up for a great fall ahead. This summer, OTS had the privilege of supporting COHPS in facilitating the sale of the Caddo-Kenefic Memorial window decal fundraiser throughout July and August, and were able to sell, package and ship approximately 101 stickers. Thank you COHPS for this awesome opportunity to give back and support this wonderful memorial! OTS also welcomed 15 new members from the significant others of Troopers who graduated the 65th Patrol Academy, and can’t wait to get to know our newest HALF’s. The organization is scheduled to host its 3rd Annual Spouses Retreat in November, and is looking forward to a weekend of fun, fellowship and self-care for every hard working spouse who has the opportunity to attend. We have an amazing keynote speaker headed our way, and tons of fun activities planned. Spouses, you don’t want to miss out! OTS has also designed a custom pewter Christmas ornament fundraiser to assist in lowering the cost of the retreat for members who attend. The ornaments (pictured below) will be available for purchase in October, so be on the lookout for more information soon! OTS is also accepting donations for those interested in sponsorship opportunities. Please contact OTS for more information or if you or anyone you know is interested in supporting this wonderful weekend for the spouses. Persons eligible for membership shall be over the age of 18 and the significant other/ domestic partner of a commissioned Oklahoma State Trooper who is in good standing in the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, or of members who were in good standing at the time of their retirement or death. OTS would like to invite any spouse eligible for membership to reach out for more information if they are interested in learning more. Annual dues are $20, and the membership fee for 2018-2019 with the year of operations running June 1st, 2018 through May 31st, 2019. The annual dues go into an account designed to support the missions of OTS. This will include small tokens of encouragement and love when a member and/or a Trooper experiences a large life event, such as the birth of a child, or in the event of a critical incident. If you are interested in becoming a member of Oklahoma Trooper Spouses, please email [email protected] for more information. Thank you for your continued support!

8 ABOUT THE COHPSCOHPS ORGANIZATION

Thanks to membership dues, COHPS is dedicated to the support donations and golf tournament COHPS of our Troopers, both active and proceeds, the COHPS organization Board of Directors retired, and their families. has accomplished many goals in Each year, unfortunately, Troopers recent years, including: Jim Laurick 405-202-6100 are injured in the line of duty.  Direct donations to Troopers and President Edmond COHPS has made these situations a their families in times of need. Gordon Hampton 918-625-8917 top priority by reaching out to these  Annual sponsorship of Christmas Troopers and their families — not Eastern Vice-Pres. Broken Arrow dinner events for Troopers and only to help them through difficult their families across the state. Dr. Joe Taron 405-308-3650 times, but to let them know that  Sponsorship of an annual event Western Vice-Pres. Shawnee they have the support of all our honoring Troopers’ spouses in Gene Fitzpatrick 405-641-8296 COHPS members. appreciation for their support. Secretary Shawnee To join COHPS, visit our website at  Sponsorship of the Department of Public Safety’s 75th anniversary Pam Simmons 580-471-6749 www.cohps.org and click “Join Us.” celebration in 2012. Personal memberships are $12 per Treasurer Mangum year and corporate memberships  Funding of Proudly Protecting Bob Ellis 918-791-1045 Oklahoma, Bob Burke’s book about are $100 per year. Remember, your Director Grove the 75th anniversary of OHP. membership fee is tax deductible. Jerry Don Henry 580-471-5035

Director Altus Bill Inhofe 918-260-8583

Director Muskogee Joe Landon 918-798-6800

Director Collinsville Paul Roan 580-371-5373

Director Tishomingo Pat Woodward 918-810-4728 COHPS Director Bixby P.O. Box 3258 www.cohps.org Shawnee, OK 74802-3258

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