OLYMPIA — A Port Ludlow woman who will work in the Port Townsend area on her first assignment as a State Patrol trooper won two awards before she was sworn in with 34 other new troopers.
Trooper Alisha E. Gruszewski received the top academic award of the troopers who graduated from the Washington State Patrol Academy. She also was recognized for collision investigation.
Awards were presented Thursday before a Friday ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Olympia.
State Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens swore in 35 new graduates. Gov. Jay Inslee presented them with commission cards, and Chief John R. Batiste welcomed them into the organization.
Gruszewski earned the highest grade-point average, 94 percent, of all the 35 troopers in more than 30 tests and quizzes.
She also attained “the highest level of proficiency regarding collision investigation, including mathematical computation, scene investigation, information and evidence-gathering, report-writing and teamwork,” the State Patrol said
Each trooper cadet completed more than 1,000 hours of training.
The Core Values Award was presented to Trooper Aaron A. Norton of Bremerton, who will be assigned to Moses Lake.
The top driving award went to Trooper Jeffrey C. Helmer of Snohomish, who will serve Marysville.
The award for firearms proficiency was presented to Trooper Conner S. Bruchman of Kettle Falls, who is assigned to Okanogan.
Trooper Joshua L. Wood of Rexburg, Idaho, was presented with the top fitness award. He will work in Moses Lake.
Trooper John M. Tyler of Spokane was presented with the top overall cadet award.
He will work in Marysville.
