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the Safety Signal
July 2009
59th OHP Academy graduates 25
He said there were
The smallest Oklahoma
only woman who will graduate
increased training hours in some
Highway Patrol academy class in
from the academy,” said Sugg.
categories and more scenarioover a decade graduated June 26, “She was offered a full softball
based training, in addition to
but Academy Commandant Lt.
scholarship to East Central
traditional classroom hours.
Brent Sugg boasts they are a
University in Ada for her junior
“For example, we
group for which the OHP and
and senior years, but chose to
increased
the seven hours required
citizens of Oklahoma may be
follow her lifelong dream to
by the Certified
proud.
Law
“Although
Enforcement
the academy began
Education
with 33 cadets, we
Training
are very proud of
curriculum to a
the 25 who
total of 40
graduated,” said
hours in the first
Sugg. “These
responder
graduates have
course,” said
remained dedicated
Sugg. “We
to their mission and
have prepared
have come out at
the cadets for
the top of their
many possible
game. The
situations
diligence and
concerning the
perseverance they
The
59th
Oklahoma
Highway
Patrol
Academy.
Photo:
Trp.
Chris
Bridges
public’s safety
have demonstrated
which is crucial
is highly
when they
commendable, and
patrol
on
the
front
lines, while
we believe they will take to the
become a state trooper instead.
road ready to serve the citizens in She held her own in every area of keeping within homeland security
guidelines.”
the courteous and professional
the academy, equal to or stronger
Another area that
manner expected of them.”
than many of her male
increased
in hours of instruction
Those who graduated
counterparts.”
was that of firearms. Lt. Ben
included a diverse group of cadets
Sugg said that even
Crockett, lead firearms instructor,
such as two whose wives are
though there continues to be a
used a system of simulated
Oklahoma City police officers, a
great need for troopers on
shooting to increase their skills.
chef, a helicopter pilot, a former
Oklahoma’s roads, one of the
minor league baseball pitcher, and greatest benefits of a smaller
If you would like to submit
the son of an OHP captain. There academy is the instructor-to-cadet
information or a story idea to
are several who have law
ratio.
enforcement and military
“Certainly one benefit of
be published please send your
backgrounds. The oldest
this small academy was that
information to Public
graduate turned 40 during the
cadets received more focused
Information Officer Deanna
academy and is a retired U.S.
instruction than they would have
Hargus, editor, via e-mail to
Marine. One of the cadets is a
with a larger group which is true
dhargus@dps.state.ok.us or
22-year-old woman.
in any educational setting,” said
call 405-425-7708.
“Trinity Simmons is the
Sugg.
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(Continued)
Academy (Con’d.)
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2
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Photos: Jim Knight
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“We used a simulator primarily
for traffic stops in shoot-don’t-shoot
scenarios,” said Crockett. “There were
hundreds of scenarios we could choose
from, and we had the ability to change
the scenarios to dictate that the cadets
give the proper voice commands. We
have used this in previous academies
but increased the hours of instruction
this year. The program was used in
tandem with actual firing range time,
target-identification drills and roomclearance drills to name a few areas, all
of which were after-hours events that
instructors participated in at the training
center.”
Cadets were required to reside
on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a
week for the first portion of the 17-week
academy.
(1) Col. Van M. Guillotte (middle) and Lt.
Col. Larry Alexander speak to a cadet
during final inspection. (2) Academy
Commandant Lt. Brent Sugg checked each
cadet one last time followed by the final
march (3) around the DPS academy by the
entire academy. Cadets Dustin Thornton
(left), Eddie Fish, Sheldon Dobbs and
Trinity Simmons, the only woman to
graduate the academy, await final
inspection. (4) Cadets marched together
one last time.
3
4
(Continued)
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Academy (Con’d.)
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2
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3
6
5
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(1) Cadet Richard McKey escorts wife Lisa into
graduation ceremonies. (2) The cadets officially became
troopers as they were sworn in. (3) Academy
Commandant Lt. Brent Sugg congratulated Trp. Kane
Wyatt. (4) The new troopers were pinned with their
badges, and a member of the audience (5) records the
class spokesperson’s speech. (6) Audience members were
treated to a presentation of photos taken throughout the
academy. Trp. Reggie Callins, defensive tactics lead
instructor (left), and Trp. Brian Dixon, DT
instructor,“visit” with a cadet early in the academy. (7)
Trp. Malcom Deming addresses the audience as class
spokesperson.
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The 36th annual Cadet Lawman Academy
On June 13, 135 high
school students, 89 males and 46
females, completed the 36th
Cadet Lawman Academy in
Burns Flat, Oklahoma.
“The Cadet Lawman
Academy gives selected high
school seniors-to-be a firsthand
taste of what it takes to be a
trooper with the Oklahoma
Highway Patrol,” said Academy
Commandant Lt. David Ott.
“Cadets arrive on Sunday as
strangers and leave Saturday as
lifelong friends. Each day starts
at 5:30 a.m. and
activities or events are
scheduled until lights
out at 11 p.m. After
parents leave and the
week’s rules and
regulations have been
explained on Sunday,
cadets begin to
experience a big culture
shock. Additional
stresses include turning
in their cell phones, ipods and such. For
some, that is the hardest part of
the week.”
On Monday and
Tuesday the cadets were flown
in airplanes by Troop O pilots
and were taken on boat rides by
Troop W troopers. On
Wednesday morning they drove
patrol cars on actual OHP
driving courses then toured the
Granite reformatory. Afterwards
they were treated to pizza and a
visit to an amusement park.
“Thursday was a long
hot day on the firing range with
cadets learning how to safely
handle a handgun and a
shotgun,” said Ott.
Friday cadets traveled to
Oklahoma City and were given
a tour of the Dept. of Public
Safety Robert R. Lester Training
Center, a demonstration of
services by Troop Z, tours of the
command post operations, and
an introduction to the tactical
team before attending a farewell
dance and ice cream social back
at Burns Flat. They said goodbye to each other and were
joined by family and friends for
their graduation ceremony on
Saturday.
In 1973, then OHP
lieutenants Bill Price and Bill
Hollars went to Kansas to observe
a similar program. It involved
mostly classroom work with
limited hands-on activities.
The following year, the
OHP Safety Education division
and the Jaycees cosponsored the
first Cadet Lawman Academy
with 39
1
Cadets (top, clockwise) drop
to the ground to begin of a
week full of push-ups. Trp.
Kathy Thompson (second
from left) visited with cadets. Lt. Brian Sturgill, OHP pilot,
helped strap in a cadet before taking him up in the airplane,
and students were treated to airboat rides.
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(Continued)
Cadet Lawman (Con’d.)
male students at the training
center in Oklahoma City. Today
the program continues to be
sponsored by the Oklahoma Elks
Major Projects and the OHP in
addition to the Oklahoma State
Troopers Association, and
sponsors Western Technology
Center, Burns Flat and Dill City
Schools, CUDD Pressure
Control and Friends of the NRA.
Ott said the success of
the academy was directly
attributed to the academy staff.
From 1974 to 2009, 3,927
cadets have
attended the
academy,
many
becoming
professionals
and prominent
members of
the law
enforcement
community
and the
criminal
justice arena.
Patrol cars (top left, clockwise) en route to the
Granite Reformatory. A cadet drove the obstacle
course and the Beat the Heat cars were featured
this year. Trp. Sue Farley and Trp. Jennifer Fisher
assisted cadets with registration. A female cadet
stood in formation while Lt. Doc Darst teaches
firearms. Cadets were taken on short flights by
highway patrol pilots and Trp. Albert Rangel gives
a thumbs’ up before running the obstacle course.
Photos: Trp. Alan Beaty
Albert Rangel (ES)
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Troopers receive state-of-the-art theft-recovery systems
and receives the pertinent
“It is really quite
“There is basically no
information regarding the
extraordinary how this system
way to defeat it once it is
vehicle’s make, model and tag
works.”
installed so covertly that the
number. In the meantime, the
Lt. Col. John Harris is
thief has no clue,” said Harris.
trooper can begin tracking by
referring to a system called
“There are no bells, no buzzers,
LoJack that was recently
no warnings to alert the thief yet following a visible arrow on the
receiver that continually points
installed in 10 Oklahoma
troopers will now .”
to the direction of the stolen
Highway Patrol units in the
A signal is emitted from
vehicle.
Oklahoma City and Tulsa metro the stolen vehicle that only the
“Basically the trooper is
areas.
LoJack systems are able to
shown how to navigate through
“It is a state-or-the-art
receive. Depending on the
the instructions shown on the
system to which Oklahoma’s
LoJack receiver which will
citizens may subscribe, but it
eventually lead to the stolen
is proven to be foolproof and
vehicle,” said Harris.
therein lies the true benefit,”
All 10 troopers received
said Harris.
extensive training on the LoJack
Police departments
process through videos,
and sheriffs offices in Tulsa
powerpoints and a mock vehicle
and Oklahoma City have
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theft where they actually
been using the system in
tracked down a vehicle
recent years.
using the system.
“LoJack is a
The devices were
recovery system for
installed in OHP patrol
stolen vehicles,” said
cars at no charge to the
Harris. “Essentially
Department of Public
what it can do is more
Safety. “It’s quite a
expeditiously locate a
system, but affordable
vehicle that has been
for its benefits,” said
reported stolen, allowing
Harris.
for a quicker recovery
The LoJack company
through LoJack
boasts a 90 percent
signalling.”
Troop
A
personnel
receive
training
on
the
LoJack
recovery rate with
Harris said
receiver (top). Trp. Mitch Nelson (left), Ltc. John Harris,
250,000 recovered
customers of LoJack
Trp. Patrick Venable, Trp. Matt Gottschalk, Trp. Ian
vehicles globally
purchase the device and
Rozier, Trp. Mike Wallace, and LoJack Representatives
representing $5 billion.
pay an annual fee for
Dennis Johnson and Greg Couch participated in the
training.
“The company was
service. The device, no
started several years ago and is
bigger than a deck of cards, is
terrain, the signal can be
run by a group of former law
strategically installed within the detected within miles
enforcement officers,” said
customer’s vehicle making it
surrounding the stolen vehicle.
extremely difficult for potential
The receiver in the trooper’s unit Harris. “I believe it is a good,
solid company, and we are very
thieves to locate and remove. If produces an audible alert and
fortunate to participate in this
a subscriber’s vehicle is stolen,
reports a five-digit reply code.
endeavor.”
when it is reported to the
The trooper then contacts the
National Crime Information
communications center and
Center those installed with
provides to them the reply code.
LoJack will have the advantage. The dispatcher calls in the code
(Continued)
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LoJack (Con’d.)
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Photos: Jim Knight
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(1) LoJack Technician Greg Couch
installs radio antennas for the
LoJack receiver system. (2) The
LoJack receiver will be used to
recover stolen vehicles. Trp. Mark
Southall (3) participated in a mock
recovery during training with Dennis
Johnson, LoJack representative.
Johnson, Couch, Trp. Larry
Chambliss, Trp. Brian Warren and
Cpt. Jerry Reagan worked together
to get the program started. The
mock recovery (5) was successful.
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Troopers participate in 2009 Special Olympics
events
Trp. Calvin Symes and
Yukon Police Department Cpl.
Tim Peters ascended the Yukon
Mill grain elevator on April 29
and did not come down until
May 1 after having raised
approximately $11,000. The
two sat on the flour mill to raise
money for the Special Olympics
in conjunction with the annual
Law Enforcement Torch Run.
The “Mill Carnival
Extravaganza” began on
Thursday hosting fun family
activities including a moon
bounce, bingo, floating ducks,
ring toss, face painting, balloon
animals, Oreo mania, marble
toes, as well as silent and dessert
auctions. Lemonade, popcorn
and cotton candy were available
for all to enjoy. Symes
encouraged DPS employees to
stop by and say hello to show
their support.
Trp. Calvin Symes (top, left), Trp. Scott Patton, Yukon Police Officer Tim
Peters and Manager of Yukon Mill Kai Gebhard camp out to raise money for
Special Olympics. Mike Erhart (above, left), Doris Erhart, Desirae Meyer,
Whitney Lowe, Ericka Wenzell, Lt. Jim Fisher, Trp. Jennifer Fisher, Special
Olympian Aaron Erhart, Beth Ann Meyer, retired OHP lieutenant Stewart
Meyer, Trp. Calvin Symes, Leah Patton and Trp. Scott Patton.
In conjunction, the third
annual Craig Meyer Memorial
Walk for Special Olympics was
held. Beth Ann and retired
Oklahoma Highway Patrol
Captain Stewart Meyer began
the annual walk to Stillwater
from the Chickasha High School
football field on Thursday, May
7, Craig’s alma mater.
The annual walk is held
in memory of their son Craig
who began volunteering for the
Special Olympics in Stillwater
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while in third grade. Later, he
and his wife Deserae helped with
several fund-raisers to support
the charity.
Tulsa press event highlights new legislation
By Alice Collinsworth, Media Assistant
Oklahoma Highway Safety Office
Staff members from the
impaired by or under the
about how the law will affect
Oklahoma Highway Safety
influence of alcohol or another
drivers and detailed the specifics
Office joined representatives
intoxicating substance.
of the legislation.
from Mothers Against Drunk
It also states that a driver
Liz
Driving, state
Gifford from
legislators, law
Green
enforcement officers
Country
and other child
MADD
advocates at a July
expressed
2 press event to
appreciation
announce new child
for the
endangerment laws.
legislators,
The event,
law
sponsored by
enforcement
MADD at Tulsa’s
officers, Tulsa
Quik Trip Park,
Area Safe
featured guest
Communities
speakers addressing
members,
various facets of
OHSO
Senate Bill 1138:
personnel and
DUI Child
others who
Trp. Shawn Cummings addresses law enforcement issues related
Endangerment.
had a part in
to new child endangerment legislation.
“This new
promoting
law is an important
and passing
step in more fully protecting
who is convicted of a DUI
the new legislation.
young Oklahomans,” said Scott offense and who has any child
Sabrina Mackey from
Watkins, OHSO director. “Our
under 18 years of age in the
OHSO discussed statistics
vision at OHSO is to create and
vehicle may be charged with a
related to DUI accidents, and
maintain an environment where
felony child endangerment
OHP Trooper Shawn Cummings
Oklahoma roadways are safe for offense separate from the DUI
said that law enforcement would
everyone, and this legislation
offence.
be focusing on the new law
provides a way for our youngest
A person who refuses to
protecting Oklahoma’s children.
residents to be more protected
allow his or her child to be
“It’s good that law
from adults who choose to drink transported by an intoxicated
enforcement has additional
and drive.”
driver cannot be held in
options for dealing with those
SB1138 adds penalties
contempt of court, the new law
who drink and drive with minors
for knowingly allowing a child
states.
in the car,” Watkins said.
to be present in a vehicle when
Dan Medlock from the
the operator (or person in
District Attorneys Council spoke
physical control) of the vehicle is
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Troop L Vinita headquarters hosts open house
“This will allow for each
Troop L employees
hosted an open house to show off troop to have a communications
officer dedicated to them on
their new headquarters in early
separate channels during
July.
inclement weather or during a
“This was an
major event,” said McCoy.
opportunity to thank all of the
people who were instrumental in “Next to the headquarters is a
three-bay garage. One bay has a
making this new headquarters a
lift that is used mostly by
reality, and to allow the media
an opportunity to photograph the members of Troop SO when
facility,” said Cpt. Jack McCoy, conducting vehicle searches.
commander.
The new
headquarters was a joint
venture between the
Oklahoma Turnpike
Authority and the
Department of Public
Safety. It is also
occupied by Troop XA,
with offices to
accommodate Troop SO
and Troop Z.
Troop L employees host open house in July.
The new facility
is approximately
11,000 square feet and
Another bay is enclosed by a
has a large training room that
chain link fence and can be used
can serve as a command center
to secure a vehicle or other
during a major event in
evidence for a short time. There
northeastern Oklahoma.
is also a dog-run enclosed by a
“There is a large
chain link fence located on the
trooper’s room shared by
outside of the garage to allow
members from the different
troops. Once the equipment has Troop SO canines an
opportunity to get out of the
arrived there will be several
units and still be safe from
docking stations for laptop
highway traffic.”
computers and at least three
In attendance were
desktop computers will be
Commissioner Kevin Ward, Ltc.
available for the troopers,” said
John Harris, members of the
McCoy.
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority,
The Communications
Center has two consoles, CADS Sen. John Ford, Rep. Chuck
Hoskins, representatives from
Systems and OLETS terminals.
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the governor’s office and Sen.
Tom Colburn’s office, members
of the Concerned Oklahomans
for the Highway Patrol Society,
members of Troop L, Troop XA,
Troop XD, the Vinita Chamber
of Commerce and several
members of the local media.
“Also, it was also an
honor to have OHP retirees in
attendance,” said McCoy.
Retirees in
attendance included
Cpt. Pete Carman, Lt.
Dean Neal, Cpt. Jerry
Lawson, Col. Jerry
Biggers, Lt. Bob
Green, Lt. Leroy
Henderson and Ltc.
Bill Holyfield.
“All of these men
were former
commanders over
either Troop L or
Troop XA,” said
McCoy.
Other retirees were Ltc.
Jack Rosenberg, Ltc. Mike
Grimes, Ltc. Gene Fitzpatrick,
Lt. George Haugan, Lt. Bob
Girten, Lt. Dan Robins and Trp.
Tommy Ballard.
“Lunch was provided
courtesy of COHPS, and many
stories were shared about all of
the good times that occurred
over the years in the old
facilities,” said McCoy.
(Continued)
Open house (Con’d.)
The break room (top left, clockwise) in the new
headquarters boasts a leather sofa with the Dept. of
Public Safety logo monogrammed on the front.
Commissioner Kevin Ward addresses a crowd gathered
for the open house. The training room was created to
accommodate all troopers and staff assigned to the
location. Lt. Vern Wilson’s wife Connie and Daughter
Chloe showed their support by attending the event, and
Cpt. Horton and Cpt. Jack McCoy were presented the
Civic Improvement Award by B.J. Mooney of the Vinita
Chamber of Commerce.
eViews
Subject: DOT Safety Compliance Stop
Trp. Bill Overbey
With all the bad publicity
lately, I would like to make a positive
comment about Patrolman Bill Overbey.
He stopped me when I was
eastbound on highway 412 just west of
Arkansas. I was pulling a 40-foot dump
truck loaded with concrete sand,
delivering it to Siloam Springs, Ark.
He was professional, courteous,
friendly, and easy to get along with. He
only held me up for a short time and got
me on my way quickly. I believe he is a
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real asset to you all, and to the state
too. He seems to be a good role
model for the rest of the highway
patrolmen to follow.
I am hoping this note will
find its way to his employment folder
so his captain can see my comments.
Thanks,
Tom Campbell
Bristow, Oklahoma
Radio Shop “welcomes” special visitor
“At about 10:15 a.m. on
Wednesday, June 3 while
working on a CP2 at the Radio
Shop, a snake was spotted on the
engine manifold,” reports Ron
Davis, supervisor C&ES
division.
While Davis and
technicians Bob Weist and
Jimmy Henessey were looking
for connections under the hood,
they noticed the snake. Davis
called the Oklahoma Animal
Welfare Office who dispatched
an officer to capture the intruder.
“Animal Welfare Officer
Sheridan Lowery arrived ready
to take the snake into custody,”
said Davis. “After climbing
under the vehicle, the culprit was
spotted on the body frame.”
At that point the snake
disappeared back into the motor
area and could not be seen.
“The vehicle was started
and the snake, unharmed,
dropped to the floor and tried to
slither away but fortunately was
captured,” said Davis.
Lowery declared it was a
bull snake.
“Never a dull moment
around here,” joked Davis.
Animal Welfare Officer
Sheridan Lowery was called
upon to searched under the
department vehicle to find and
wrangle a bull snake that had
made its way into the Radio
Shop bay area.
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At large ...
Troop YC
Administrative Assistant Karen
Ward reports one of their
troopers has special help when
washing his patrol car.
“The picture is of Trp.
Glenn Zink’s son, Nathan, age
2, helping Glenn wash his patrol
car,” submits Ward. “Glenn is a
trooper here at Troop YC, the H.
E. Bailey Turnpike, at
Chickasha.
Congratulations were in order for Public Information Officer
Deanna Hargus, editor “the Safety Signal” and husband Patrick Hargus
who celebrated 25 years of marriage in June. The Harguses hosted a
party with a unique theme. Invitations asked that everyone dress in
bridesmaids dresses and groomsmen attire, the crazier the better; a fun
way to spoof the traditional wedding party.
Hargus wore a gown she found in a consignment shop and
adorned it by wearing fake eyelashes, flashy broaches, elaborately
beaded flip-flops and a ridiculously tall pageant tiara, too heavy to keep
in place.
Patrick was conned into wearing a kilt featuring a red tartan
pattern and the traditional fur-lined leather pouch called a sporran (not
quite his favorite accessory). But he drew the line, however, when it came
to wearing the Glengarry hat.
Members of the original wedding party, college friends, and
family members from as far away as Pennsylvania attended the event. Of
the attendees that were captured in the group photo are recent DPS
retiree Lisa Armstrong, DPS employees Nancy Shipley and Bea Ellerbee,
and former employees Michelle Day and Lori Buckaloo.
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