THREE LOCAL MEN GRADUATE DPS TRAINING

  

Three local men graduated from the 158th Trooper Training Class in Austin of Friday, making history for Washington County.

The local graduates include Trooper Mason Hartnett whose new duty station will be in Mathis, Texas; Trooper Marcus Mathis whose new duty station will be in Fort Stockton, Texas; and Trooper Ryan Roy whose duty station will be in Orange, Texas.

The three Troopers made history for Washington County as being the only three from Washington County to attend and graduate from the same D.P.S. academy at the same time.

The D-2016 class, which is the department’s 158th training class and the largest since August 2000, included 16 women, 16 former peace officers and 58 military veterans. The oldest graduate was 51-years-old and the youngest was 21-years-old. The 134 new Troopers will report to duty stations across Texas in the coming weeks and spend the first six months in on-the-job training.

As a former Trooper and Texas Ranger, Sheriff Otto Hanak says he still attends these graduation events as often as possible. He noted that this graduation was one of the most significant and special he has attended since his own graduation in 1981.

“These men and women have risen to the challenge of DPS’ months-long training to prove their proficiency and dedication, and the department is honored to add them to our law enforcement ranks,” said Director Steve McCraw. “From this day forward, you will serve on the front lines protecting our communities from the full gamut of public safety threats, and Texas will be a safer place because of your commitment to duty.”

Instruction covered more than 100 subjects, including counterterrorism, traffic and criminal law, arrest and control procedures, accident reconstruction, first aid and Spanish. They also received training in use of force, communication skills, firearms, driving, criminal interdiction, cultural diversity and physical fitness.

Trooper Hartnett’s wife is employed as an Administrative Assistant at the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Trooper Mathis’ father, Floyd Mathis, recently retired from the Washington County Sheriff's Office as a Patrol Sergeant and remains active as a reserve deputy Sergeant.