Governor Hochul Announces 215th Session Graduation from the State Police Basic School

Governor Hochul Announces 215th Session Graduation from the State Police Basic School

Governor Kathy Hochul joined Superintendent Steven G. James in honoring 181 new State Troopers as they graduated today from the 215th session of the Basic School of the New York State Police Academy. The ceremony was held at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center in Albany. Today's graduation increases the State Police ranks to 5,183 sworn members.

"I commend these 181 men and women for dedicating themselves to public service, and their commitment to protecting the people of New York State," Governor Hochul said. "The New York State Police put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe, serving as a critical lifeline for all New Yorkers. On behalf of the State, I want to thank the graduates for their perseverance and welcome them to the long gray line."

New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, "Today's graduation is the culmination of six months of difficult classwork, physical training, and sacrifice, and we now welcome our newest members to one of the most prestigious and well-respected law enforcement agencies in the nation. I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the State Police have exhibited for the past 107 years."

In addition to honoring all graduates from the 215th Session of Basic School, Superintendent James presented the following awards:

Academic Achievement Award

As a special incentive for all students attending the State Police Academy Basic School, the Superintendent sponsors the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of academic performance during Academy training.

The recipient of the Academic Achievement Award is Trooper Brian Leahey, age 35 who resides in Farmington, New York. He is a graduate of St. Joseph's University with a bachelor's degree in physics. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a project manager and served 5 years of active duty with the United States Army. Throughout the Academy training program, he achieved an outstanding overall academic average of 96.42 percent. He will be assigned to Troop E.

Firearms Proficiency Award

The New York State Trooper Foundation has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest level of performance in all phases of firearms training.

The recipient of the Superintendent's Firearms Proficiency Award is Tanner J. Rarrick, age 29 who resides in Painted Post, New York. He is a graduate of Corning Community College where he received an associate degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a police officer with the City of Corning Police Department. During firearms training, he achieved an average score of 250 out of a possible 250. He will be assigned to Troop E.

Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award

The New York State Police Investigators Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm for the attainment of the highest degree of physical fitness during the Physical Training Program at the Academy. This award will be presented in memory of deceased Investigator Joseph Aversa. Investigator Aversa made the ultimate sacrifice in New York City on March 5, 1990, during a narcotics investigation while serving as a member of the Joint Drug Enforcement Task Force. Investigator Aversa was a six-year State Police veteran who believed that physical conditioning was an integral part of being a Trooper.

The recipient of the Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award is Gavin F. Mannion, age 25 who resides in Cornwall on Hudson, New York. He is a graduate of SUNY Morrisville with a bachelor's degree in automotive technology. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a light duty truck mechanic and for the past 7 years he has served in the United States Army. During the physical agility testing, he achieved the highest score of all 181 Members of the 215th Session, a tribute to his superb physical conditioning. He will be assigned to Troop F.

Student Representative

The New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association has sponsored the awarding of a firearm to the member of the class who is selected by his or her peers to represent them during these exercises. The PBA presents the award in memory of Trooper John J. McKenna IV, who was killed in action in 2006, while serving his country as a Marine in Iraq.

The recipient of this award is Matthew D. Weinholtz, age 31 who resides in Orchard Park, New York. He is a graduate of Mercyhurst University with a bachelor's degree in intelligence studies. Prior to joining the New York State Police, he was a Trooper with the Virginia State Police. He will be assigned to Troop A.

The graduation ceremony was held at the Empire Plaza Convention Center in Albany. The National Anthem was performed by Trooper Justin E. Bush, a member of the graduating class. The ceremony included a video presentation of the training received by all members of the 215th Basic School Session.

The new Troopers will report for field duty on Oct. 23, 2024. For the following 10 weeks, the new Troopers will be evaluated under a field-training program supervised by senior Field Training Officers.

Below is a list of Field Training assignments where graduates will begin their careers. Included are the hometowns of the graduates.

TROOP B

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	MI	HOMETOWN
ALLEN	CASSIUS	M	LAKE GEORGE
ALSWORTH	COOPER	R	WELLSVILLE
ALVES	JOSHUA	E	ALBANY
BANNISTER	QUINN	A	GAINESVILLE
BROOKS	CONOR	D	GAINESVILLE
BUSH	JUSTIN	E	WALLKILL
BUTT	FREDERICK	J	CLIFTON PARK
CHASE	MATTHEW	J	SLINGERLANDS
CLERE	NATALIE	A	MARCELLUS
CORSINO	JOSHUA		MOUNT KISCO
CRUZ	EZEKIEL		JAMAICA
DAVISON	CORY	R	PLATTSBURGH
DIXON	JACOB	M	WEST CHAZY
DOUGLAS	CAITLIN	E	MALONE
FILION	JACE	M	PLATTSBURGH
HOCHMAN	STEVEN		BROOKLYN
JEAN-LOUIS	YVES	A	JAMAICA
KEENAN	LAUREN	E	GLENS FALLS
LAMBERTON	KASEY	D	PALMYRA
LUBANSKI	DONALD	W	CALEDONIA
MARTIN	HAILEY	S	SACKETS HARBOR
MASTRO	JOSEPH	D	CANTON
MCCRUM	MICHAELA		SCHENECTADY
MERCADO	CHRISTIAN	S	SARATOGA SPRINGS
MITCHELL	JUSTIN	T	WAPPINGERS FALLS
MORGAN	CHRISTIAN	S	MIDDLETOWN
MORGUL	EMIN	J	HOPEWELL JUNCTION
MUDASSAR	HAMZA	B	JOHNSON CITY
NATALIE	LORENZO	A	OLMSTEDVILLE
NOEL	AARON	R	PLATTSBURGH
PASTRANA	ANAYA		BROOKLYN
PEPIN	ALAIN	M	BURKE
PERAZA	ALEJANDRO		COHOES
PUNIN	BRYAN	S	VERPLANCK
RIMPEL	AMDERSON	M	BROOKLYN
RULE	ASHLEY	L	CONSTABLE
SCHECHTER	ELIJAH	F	POTSDAM
TREZZA	BRINA	M	PORT JEFFERSON STATION
TROMBLEY	CAMERON	B	ELLENBURG CENTER
VALERIO-CHIMILIO	CARLOS	V	BRONX
VALLE	KEENE	A	BRONX
WALTER	THOMAS	C	SARANAC LAKE
BENZEL	AIDAN	T	WANAKENA
MARTIN	BAILEY	M	MALONE
GUILLEN	JONATHAN	A	BRONX

TROOP C

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	MI	HOMETOWN
BECERRA	JAN	A	CHAPPAQUA
ALAO	AYOMIDE		ARVERNE
ANDERSON	MICHAEL	J	STUYVESANT
ANDERSON	JACE	R	GERMANTOWN
ANDERSON	TATYANA		YONKERS
BARRON	MATTHEW	T	COMMACK
BENCE	JENNIFER	E	CATSKILL
BHUIYAN	SHAKIFUR	R	BROOKLYN
BROWN	VICTORIA		BROOKLYN
CAMPOS	IMANOL		COLLEGE POINT
COLON	DARIELA		DOBBS FERRY
CONNORS	JOSEPH	P	JOHNSONVILLE
CRESPO	MICHAEL	J	NORTHPORT
DECHANT	DANIEL		WAPPINGERS FALLS
DEMARTINO	CATELYN	A	PORT JERVIS
DIDIER	DEVIN	J	NORTH BABYLON
DRUMM	BECKY	M	PINE BUSH
FAHEY	PATRICK	S	WHITE PLAINS
FONTAINE	GEORGES	S	MASTIC BEACH
FRANZ	RYAN	M	ENDICOTT
FRUNZI	COLBY	A	LAKE GROVE
GIOVINGO	DANIEL	M	CENTEREACH
HERNANDEZ	AUSTIN	C	NEW CITY
HIKADE	JACOB	D	STONE RIDGE
KELANI	OLADOTUN	S	RICHMOND HILL
LICATA	NIKOLAS	E	BAYSHORE
MCGRATH	HUNTER	J	RIDGE
NEWCOMB	WILLIAM	V	CLIFTON PARK
NKANSAH	JOSHUA	P	BRENTWOOD
QUARANTA	BRANDON	M	SALT POINT
RAMOS	JONATHAN		NEW CITY
ROGERS	MICHAEL	R	RED HOOK
ROWE	JONATHAN	R	MONROE
RYAN	TRISTAN	K	FORT MONTGOMERY
SANZO	JOSHUA	A	GERMANTOWN
SCHRAG	DEREK	W	CORNWALL ON HUDSON
SELBY	ETHAN	W	BROADALBIN
STUMPF	JOSHUA	M	BLUE POINT
TERRY	KATELYN	K	BINGHAMTON
VUOLO	BRANDON	A	EVAN MILLS
WEIGMAN	ANDREW	M	CANEADEA
WRIGHT	JUSTIN	A	BUFFALO
GULIANO	MICHAEL	T	PINE BUSH
MAGSAMAN	DERRICK	B	BLOOMINGBURG
MILLER	AUSTIN	J	LAGRANGEVILLE
MANNION	GAVIN	F	CORNWALL ON HUDSON

TROOP D

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	MI	HOMETOWN
MARTIN	BRETT	J	PORTVILLE
GOMOLKA	CONNER	M	HAMBURG
AMUSO	JAMES	A	UTICA
BROUTY	CORDEL	W	LOWVILLE
CACCIATORE	CHRISTIAN	J	ILION
COLE	MICHAEL	J	ROME
CROSS	MATTHEW	C	UTICA
DIGEORGE	SAMMUEL	A	CANASTOTA
FERENTI	ALEXANDER	R	LIVERPOOL
FERRIS	ZOE	F	FULTON
FIERMONTE III	JOHN	A	AUBURN
FUSCO JR	MICHAEL	J	SCHENECTADY
GIARDINI III	CHRISTOPHER	M	ALLEGANY
HAIMS	CONNOR	S	PITTSFORD
HASKINS	EMILY	M	LIVERPOOL
HOWE	ROBERT	R	POLAND
HULSE	SYDNEY	L	PENN YAN
JOHNSON	BRANDON		NANUET
LUCAS	COREY	A	ALDEN
LYUBEZHANIN	ROBERT	P	UTICA
MCBRIDE	AUSTIN	R	ROCHESTER
MILLER	COLE	R	EAST AURORA
MILLER	CLAY	C	CANASTOTA
MOTLEY	PETER	L	BELLMORE
MUHAMMAD	WALEED		NEW YORK
NICOLETTI-WATSON	CIRRO		DERBY
NORTHEY III	WILLIAM	J	SHERBURNE
OLKOWSKI	JASON	E	NEW WOODSTOCK
PACENZA	THOMAS		AKRON
PAGE	COLIN	J	AVON
PASSAMONTE	BRAGON	J	CLIFTON SPRINGS
PAVEZ	MATTHEW	J	WAPPINGERS FALLS
RUSSELL	LAUREN	M	SYRACUSE
STETZ	COLTON	J	HAMBURG
VASQUEZ	MATHEW	J	DEANSBORO
WILLIAMS III	SCOTT	R	UTICA
KOZIOL	PHILIP	S	BATAVIA

TROOP E

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	MI	HOMETOWN
MILLER	KRISTIAN	T	BOLIVAR
COE	GREGORY	V	SODUS
CRESANTI	MARSHALL	A	BEMUS POINT
ELLISON	DYLAN	J	HONEOYE FALLS
FITCH	RYAN	L	HOLLAND
FROST	VICTORIA	L	MACEDON
GEIGER	DEREK	T	HAMBURG
HAUPTMAN	SEAN	C	HAUPPAUGE
KRAMELL	SPENCER	D	PERRY
KUHN SR.	ANTHONY	J	SANBORN
LAWRENCE	CODY	M	WEST SENECA
LEAHEY	BRIAN	D	FARMINGTON
MAGGIORE	MARCO	P	LANCASTER
PILON	NICHOLAS	R	AMHERST
RARRICK	TANNER	J	PAINTED POST
REMIS	WILLIAM	T	ONTARIO
RONZO	ERIC	T	FAIRPORT
WEINHOLTZ	MATTHEW	D	NORTH TONAWANDA

TROOP F

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	MI	HOMETOWN
AZZOLLINI	NICHOLAS	A	BURLINGTON FLATS
BRENNAN	NICHOLAS	M	ALBANY
DAHL	CAMERON	L	MASSAPEQUA
GEOGHEGAN	BARRY	D	GREENVILLE
JEAN-PIERRE	JEFF	B	BROOKLYN
MAZZELLA	MATTHEW	J	STONY POINT
MULDOON	SHAWN	E	HOPEWELL JUNCTION
OWENS	PATRICK	A	CONGERS
RUPPERT	MICAH	T	WALDEN
SWEENEY	MICHAEL	J	KINGS PARK
TETREAULT	SHEA	C	KINGSTON

TROOP G

LAST NAME	FIRST NAME	MI	HOMETOWN
GULIANO	JOSEPH	S	SCOTIA
MALLARD	JOSHUA	T	WASHINGTONVILLE
ANDRESEN	COREY	D	TROY
BARRETT	JOSEPH	P	GLENS FALLS
BARRETT	SARAH	G	EARLTON
BASTA	KYLE	L	BALLSTON SPA
BAUER	KATELYN	M	NASSAU
BOYNTON	LUCAS	J	SCHENECTADY
FISHER	SETH	A	AVERILL PARK
GAUTHIER	BRIANNA	R	HALFMOON
HORWEDEL	MARK	E	DELANSON
JENKINS	ANDREW	L	CORINTH
KELLER	BENJAMIN	A	ALBANY
KIPPEN III	KENNETH	K	TROY
LAMBOY	BENJAMIN	A	MENANDS
MCCARTHY	SEAN	M	PATTERSON
MCMILLEN	JOSEPH	P	MAHOPAC
OCONNOR	HEATHER	A	FORT EDWARD
SHELDON	MOLLY	N	WATERVLIET
STIEHLER	THOMAS	M	MASSAPEQUA
STRENK	TYLER	J	BALLSTON SPA
SVINGALA	CALEB	S	CASTLETON
TAITT-WINE	KETRICK	V	ALBANY
WANG	MICHAEL	J	SYRACUSE

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