Auburn man is one of 181 new NY state troopers
An Auburn man is among the 181 newest New York state troopers who graduated from the state police academy Thursday.
John Fiermonte III was part of the 215th session of the New York State Police Basic School. He will be assigned to Troop D, which covers Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties.
Fiermonte and the new troopers increase the state police ranks to 5,183 members. The troopers will report for duty on Oct. 23 and complete a 10-week field training program.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday that 4,000 people applied for state police basic school, but less than 1,200 applications were processed.
"You are the elite — the very elite — 181 who made it here," Hochul added. "That's less than 1%. That's extraordinary."
Two of the class award recipients will be assigned to Troop E, which includes Cayuga County. Trooper Brian Leahey, of Farmington, won the Academic Achievement Award with a 96.42% average during the academy training program. Trooper Tanner Rarrick, of Painted Post, won the Firearms Proficiency Award with a perfect score of 250 out of 250.
Both troopers will receive firearms in recognition for their achievements.
The other honorees include Trooper Gavin Mannion, of Cornwall-on-Hudson, who received the Investigator Joseph T. Aversa Physical Fitness Award. A U.S. Army veteran, he had the highest score in the physical agility testing. He will be assigned to Troop F in the Hudson Valley.
The student representative is Trooper Matthew Weinholtz, of Orchard Park, who is a former Virginia state trooper. He will be assigned to Troop A in western New York.
State Police Superintendent Steven James lauded the 181 graduates for their hard work and welcomed them to the state police ranks.
"I am confident they are equipped to carry out our mission to serve our communities with the same professionalism and pride the state police has exhibited for the past 107 years," James said.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 282-2220 or . Love Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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