FOUR AREA RESIDENTS BECOME VIRGINIA’S NEWEST TROOPERS
APPOMATTOX – This week 40 new Virginia State Police troopers begin their new career on patrol in counties and along interstates across the Commonwealth. On Friday, March 30, 2007, the members of the 112th Basic Session graduated at the Virginia State Police Academy in Richmond. The Honorable Leroy Rountree Hassell Sr., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia, served as keynote speaker for the commencement exercises.
The 40 graduates began their rigorous 30-week training session Aug. 25, 2006. During that time, the new troopers received instruction in more than 100 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours. Academy training included such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self defense, cultural diversity and firearms.
The graduates’ final phase of training began Monday, April 2, 2007, when the new troopers reported to their respective duty assignments. Each trooper will spend a minimum of six weeks with a field training officer learning his or her new patrol area and day-to-day duties.
From Charlottesville are Trooper Andrew C.S. Goss, 23, and Trooper Kevin M. Ralston, 25. Trooper Goss brings two-and-a-half years of prior law-enforcement experience with the Albemarle County Sheriff’s Office to his new position with State Police. Trooper Goss earned a police science degree from Piedmont Virginia Community College and has been a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) with the East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Company for the past five years. Trooper Goss is assigned to Appomattox County.
Becoming a trooper has been a “long-time goal” for Trooper Ralston, who returns to Albemarle County for his first patrol assignment. Prior to joining the Virginia State Police, Trooper Ralston served six years with the U.S. Army. The decorated veteran served his country in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Trooper Ralston is also a member of the East Rivanna Volunteer Fire Company.
From Waynesboro are natives Aaron T. Coffey, 32, and David A. Eaves, 45. Trooper Coffey brings both prior military and corrections experience to his new career with State Police. A decorated veteran, Trooper Coffey served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He also has experience as a deputy sheriff with the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office and as an officer with the Middle River Regional Jail. A volunteer coach for the Waynesboro Basketball Club, Trooper Coffey returns to his home county of Augusta for his first patrol assignment.
Trooper Eaves retired from the U.S. Army after more than 20 years of decorated service. His deployments included Task Force Sinai, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Just Cause. Trooper Eaves is a graduate of Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Va., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management. Trooper Eaves is assigned to Spotsylvania County.
As the need for highly-skilled and capable law enforcement officers increases, the Department continues to seek qualified applicants for the trooper and commercial vehicle enforcement officer positions. All interested applicants are encouraged to contact the Virginia State Police Recruitment Office at the toll-free number 1-866-877-2329 or visit the Department’s Web site www.virginiatrooper.org.
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