INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The West Virginia state police welcomed 19 new members Friday when the 63rd cadet class graduated from the State Police Academy.
The ceremony was held at West Virginia State University in an auditorium packed with family members and fellow Troopers.
For the past 25 weeks the cadets attended class and underwent physical and mental training. Come Monday, they’ll their report to their new detachments to begin work.
Trooper J.S. Syner was on hand to pin a badge to the uniform of his son, N.S. Syner.
“It means more than anything in the world,” said the new trooper. “I’ve dreamed for years of (my dad) getting to pin my badge.”
His father said his son showed an interest in joining the force when he was younger.
“Now there’s two of us,” said Syner’s father. “It’s definitely a proud day for us! He’s always told me that, ‘I’m going to be a trooper.’ I encouraged it.”
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, who was on hand in September to administer the oath of office to 21 cadets, was the keynote speaker at Friday’s graduation.