The Nebraska State Patrol welcomed seven new troopers Friday as members of its 71st Basic Recruit Class were sworn in during a ceremony at the State Capitol.
The graduates completed 22 weeks of intensive training and now begin field training alongside veteran troopers. Governor Jim Pillen, Lt. Governor Joe Kelly, and Attorney General Mike Hilgers delivered remarks, with Hilgers administering the oath of office.
“You are the future of law enforcement,” said NSP Colonel Bryan Waugh. “Never allow yourself to forget the reason you chose this career.”
| Name | Hometown | Badge | Duty Station |
| Joel Alarcon-Ortega | Imperial | 16 | McCook |
| Jennifer Alonso | Hastings | 23 | Hastings |
| Joseph Fausti | Clayton, WA | 29 | West Point |
| Gage Gonzales | Lincoln | 36 | Nebraska City |
| Ryan Painter | Springview | 61 | Valentine |
| Nickolas Sutton | Doniphan | 74 | Waverly |
| Michael Vargas | Hershey | 89 | Grand Island |
Recruit Gage Gonzales of Lincoln earned three honors: the Superintendent’s Leadership Award, the Core Values Award, and the Marksmanship Award. Other awardees included Nickolas Sutton of Doniphan for academics and Joseph Fausti of Clayton, Washington, for physical fitness.
The new troopers will serve across Nebraska, from McCook to West Point. Twenty-four new recruits are set to begin training in July, with applications for the next class opening in August.