CHEYENNE – It takes a special person to become a Wyoming State Trooper. They have to be committed, want to help people and protect the citizens of the state.
Seven new troopers are up to the challenge, having completed their training and recently being sworn in as the newest members of Patrol.
Patrol held a commissioning ceremony on November 6th where the new troopers took their oaths and received their badges in front of family and friends. The ceremony marked the 86th graduated academy class.
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The new troopers recently completed an intensive training period. Those who weren’t already certified as peace officers had to attend a 13-week peace officer basic training academy. Everyone then attended a 15-week trooper basic academy.
During the trooper basic academy, they took a variety of classes including firearms, commercial carrier training, man tracking, radar/LIDAR use, emergency vehicle operation, crash investigation and others. They also learned the rules of the road so they can enforce Wyoming’s law.
The following is the 86th Class.
Shane Carraher 94 − Wheatland
Shane Carraher was born and raised in Franklin, NE and graduated high school in 2007. He attended college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney where he graduated with a degree in criminal justice and played on the football team. After college he worked as a supervisor at a youth facility in Kearney for nearly three years before applying with the Wyoming Highway Patrol. His interests are working out, spending time with family and friends, and being outdoors with his pit bull.
Joshua Carris 77 − Rock Springs
Joshua Carris was born and raised in Iowa. He attended Northwestern College in Orange City, IA where he earned Bachelor’s of Arts degrees in Accounting and Spanish. After college he served as a Deputy Sheriff for four years with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office in Spencer, IA. He has been married to his beautiful wife Mary for three years, and is excited to start his new career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol in Rock Springs.
Peter Cross 78 − Riverton
Peter Cross was born and raised in Lagrange, IN where he spent eight years. He and his family then moved to Colorado where he lived until he was hired by the Patrol. Living in a small mountain town in Colorado he played football, baseball, and ski raced while he attended Middle Park High school. Following high school he attended Colorado State University where he majored in History and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. During his stay at CSU he also participated in the Army ROTC program and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in May 2013 into the Wyoming National Guard. He then wanted to pursue a Law enforcement career as a state trooper. On his free time he enjoys hunting, fishing, playing sports, and snowmobiling.
Taylor Hanssen − Wheatland
Taylor Hanssen was born in San Antonio, TX. After High School he served a two year mission for his church from 2005 to 2007 in Ecuador where he learned the Spanish language. Upon returning from his mission he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as an Infantryman and cross trained as a machine gunner. Shortly after Taylor met his wife, they were married before deploying. He deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in 2009 and returned to pursue his dreams of being in law enforcement. He has received an AA in Education and is currently finishing his degree in Business Administration. He moved to Wyoming in 2011 and served as a Wheatland Police Officer for two years before applying with the Patrol. Taylor and his wife Camille have two children; a girl and a boy. His interests are working out, running, reading, playing all sports, and spending time with family and friends.
Remington Roberts 47 − Kemmerer
Remington was born and raised in Kemmerer, WY. He attended the University of Wyoming where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He is following his grandfather’s footsteps in becoming a Trooper and also received the same badge number. Remington’s hobbies include hunting, fly fishing and photography.
John Williams 122 − Patrick Draw
John Williams was born and raised in Columbia, Missouri where he graduated from Hickman High School in 2006. John has been married to his beautiful wife, Ellyn, for 5 ½ years. John and Ellyn have two children, Noah and Charlotte. He worked two years in central Missouri as an EMT and he began his law enforcement career in 2012 with the Fulton, MO Police Department. John is excited to begin his career with the Wyoming Highway Patrol and serve alongside the professional State Troopers of Rock Springs.
Jaime Wingard 124 − Lusk
Jaime Wingard was born in Arlington Heights IL but moved to Fort Collins CO at the age of three. She graduating from Fort Collins High School in 1992 and moved to Lusk WY in 1999. Jaime is married to her husband, Dirk, who owns his own business and together they have one daughter, Marie who is fourteen. Marie loves to play golf and also has her own business. Jaime enjoys spending time with her family and being outdoors. She has worked for the Wyoming Department of Corrections for the past 10 years.
