Trooper Jeremy David Sean Tramel of DeKalb County graduated from the Tennessee Highway Patrol Cadet Class last week after 20 weeks of intensive training. A ceremony was held for Cadet Class 615 at the Tennessee War Memorial Auditorium in Nashville, where Tramel was sworn in by Governor Bill Haslam.
Speakers at the event included THP Colonel Tracy Trott and Tennessee State Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams. Others in attendance included former Tennessee Governor Winfield Dunn.
Tramel was one of 45 graduates out of over 1,600 applicants to graduate to the THP, and served as the vice president of his class. He is the son of Chris and Shawn (Missy) Tramel of Liberty, and Annette and Jeff Clayton of Chattanooga. He has been assigned to DeKalb County.
"Congratulations to all of the trooper cadets graduating today," Adams said. "This evening, you officially become a member of one of the most respected, the most advanced and the most forward thinking state law enforcement agencies in the country."
"Each one of you has earned this incredible honor of being chosen to serve as a Tennessee state trooper," Commissioner Bill Gibbons said. You are the best of the best, chosen from more than 1,600 applicants. Congratulations on this accomplishment, and represent us well as one of Tennessee’s finest."
Trooper Mariah Woodman was named the top cadet and presented the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence for his leadership, work ethic and academics. She is the first female to earn this honor. The award was named in honor of the late Trooper Jenks, who was killed in the line of duty in January 2007. Trooper Woodman will serve in Crocket County in the THP’s Memphis District.
"We are proud to honor the first female with the Calvin Jenks Memorial Award for Excellence," Colonel Trott said. "It’s a remarkable compliment to be viewed by your instructors and peers as a leader. We know that you will continue to excel on the roadways and serve Tennessee with professionalism and pride."
Bethel University also presented one $5,000 scholarship to Trooper Isaiah Lloyd. Trooper Lloyd will serve in Anderson County of the Knoxville District.
As part of their community service, Cadet Class 615, whose motto is "Sacrifice Self, Honor Others," participated in two blood drives with the American Red Cross, collected over 900 canned goods for donation, and gifted funds to the Frankie Watson Memorial Scholarship Fund ($1,000) and Sgt. Joshua Mabe’s family ($350), who was killed in an off-duty farming accident in Hancock County on June 6.
The new graduates will now advance to a maximum of 10 weeks of field training.
