29 New Officers Graduate from Delaware Police Academy Training Program

Twenty Delaware State Troopers and nine municipal officers from local departments completed their training at the Delaware State Police Academy. The ceremony took place at Dover Middle School on February 19, 2026, with multiple awards recognizing outstanding achievement.

Delaware State Police Superintendent Colonel William D. Crotty has announced the completion of training for the 105th Delaware State Police and 101st Municipal Police Recruit Class.

Twenty new Delaware State Troopers and nine municipal officers celebrated their achievement during a ceremony at Dover Middle School on February 19, 2026. The municipal graduates will serve with the Delaware Natural Resources Police, Georgetown Police Department, Middletown Police Department, and Millsboro Police Department as they begin their law enforcement careers.

The ceremony featured remarks from several state officials and one of the new graduates. Trooper Gabriel Hayes, chosen by his fellow classmates, delivered a speech to the graduating class and attendees. Other speakers included Governor Matthew Meyer, State Prosecutor Dan Logan from the Delaware Department of Justice, Secretary Joshua A. Bushweller from the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, and Colonel William D. Crotty.

Several graduates received special recognition for their exceptional performance during training:

Trooper David Hernandez earned the Delaware State Police Academy Physical Fitness Award, while Trooper Maximillian Schwetje received both the Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award and The Secretary of Safety and Homeland Security Award.

Among the municipal graduates, Patrolman Keishawn Mansfield from Georgetown Police Department also received the Outstanding Proficiency in Police Firearms Award. His Georgetown colleague, Patrolman Horace Rose, was honored with the Delaware State Police Academy Core Value Award.

Patrolman Autumn Potter of the Millsboro Police Department received The Attorney General’s Award for Legal Excellence, while Officer Eric Johnson from Middletown Police Department earned the Delaware Association of Chiefs of Police Award.

The highest honor, the Governor’s Outstanding Recruit Trooper Award, went to Trooper Gabriel Hayes.

The complete list of new Delaware State Troopers includes: Damian Alexander, Justin Altemus, Gavin Burton, Shawn Church, Jonathan Crist, Gracie Frech, Nicolas Gaspich, Miller Gladding, Gabriel Hayes, Raymond Hearns, David Hernandez, Jacob Hudson, Strovenscolv Larochelle, Macy Layfield, Courtney McCloskey, Brendan McKewen, Carlton North, Tyler Sareyka, Maximillian Schwetje, and Brock Vincent.

The municipal police graduates are: Officers Spencer Failing and Gabriel Martin with Delaware Natural Resources Police; Patrolmen Alec Barr, Keishawn Mansfield, Dominick Redshaw, and Horace Rose with Georgetown Police Department; Officers Eric Johnson and Yordi Ventura with Middletown Police Department; and Patrolman Autumn Potter with Millsboro Police Department.