SYKESVILLE - One by one, 82 trooper candidates for the Maryland State Police took their oath of office Friday at Century High School.
They each yelled their name before reciting the oath.
John Tyler Dreseel, of Germantown.
Kristie Louise Peterson, of Shrewsburg, Pa.
Zachary John Sarver, of Annapolis.
And down the line.
Together, the 138th Trooper Candidate Class of the Maryland State Police pledged to serve and defend the constitutions of the United States and Maryland.
Family, friends and fellow law enforcement officers inside the filled-to-capacity auditorium applauded, many with tears in their eyes, as the troopers were officially sworn into the Maryland State Police.
The troopers completed the 26-week training program, held at the Maryland State Police Academy in Sykesville, which garnered them a special thanks from Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown.
"Each of you has spent six and a half months in intense training," Brown said. "I want to thank you for your willingness to endure the challenge that you encountered at the police academy; the challenge of becoming a police officer. And I want to thank you for your willingness to accept the challenge of being a police officer."
Brown served as guest speaker of the ceremony.
"Government cannot provide its most important service, which is public safety, without dedicated police officers willing to serve our citizens," Brown said.
The 82 troopers amount to the largest class of graduates in the 91-year history of the state police.
"The size of the class is evidence of the support of the [Gov. Martin] O'Malley/Brown administration has for the state police and public safety in Maryland," State Police Superintendent Col. Marcus Brown said.
The troopers will now be assigned to varying barracks for an eight-week period of additional training with a field training trooper. After which, the troopers will be allowed to patrol unaccompanied.
Among the new troopers are 16 military veterans, including 42-year-old Clyde Taylor, of Perryville, the oldest member of the graduating class.
Among the youngest is 23-year-old Westminster native Theodore Anthony Buck III.
Buck said that he was impressed with the support given to the troopers throughout the training program.
"When you first get there the first day it's probably one of the hardest things to get used to. It's a complete change," Buck said. "It's a lot like boot camp for six months, but they build you up in a way so not only are you supported by different staff members, but you're also supported by and build on team building."
The class has already made its mark on the community. The troopers raised more than $25,000 for Special Olympics Maryland from its efforts at the annual Polar Bear Plunge in January and the Torch Run last month.
"It was really interesting to see the development, not only with myself, but also with the other candidates in the class," Buck said. "We've grown not only as a business relationship but we've also grown as a family."
