OSHP Auxiliary Launches Auxiliary Cadet Program, Open to Ages 18 to 21

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary, an all-volunteer force that provides assistance to Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers in the course of their duties, has launched the Auxiliary cadet program. The program allows people ages 18 to 21 to join the Auxiliary with the ultimate goal of becoming state troopers.

Among the duties of volunteer OSHP Auxiliary officers are crash scene and traffic stop assistance, traffic control, disaster relief and special detail support. The Auxiliary cadet program will allow participants to not only volunteer to assist troopers on road patrol and other duties but also learn about all aspects of the OSHP. As such, Auxiliary cadets will have the opportunity to work alongside people in different areas of the Patrol, including troopers, dispatchers, recruiters, aviation units, and motor carrier enforcement officers.

The Auxiliary cadet program requirements are:

  1. Must be between the ages of 18 and 21 and have a high school or equivalence diploma.

  2. Must pass an OSHP polygraph and background, along with Auxiliary physical tests and medical.

  3. Must complete and graduate from an Auxiliary training class.

Once an Auxiliary cadet graduates, they will be assigned to a local Patrol post alongside other Auxiliary officers and troopers.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the OSHP Auxiliary, which was formed in 1942 at the beginning of World War II when it became apparent that Patrol manpower would be severely depleted by the war. The Auxiliary was organized by Colonel Lynn Black with the help of the American Legion. By the end of the war, more than 5,000 Auxiliaries were working across the state doing desk duty at Patrol posts, assisting with road patrol, assisting convoy movements, enforcing blackout regulations, and safeguarding concentrations of weapons and ammunition.

Since then the program has continued to evolve, with Auxiliaries currently assisting troopers on road patrol, with special details like the Ohio State Fair and Ohio State football games, and responding to emergency callouts. Among the emergencies the Auxiliary has responded to over the years includes disasters such as floods, severe weather, plane crashes, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today the Auxiliary continues to be an intricate part of the Patrol, with Auxiliaries donating well more than a million hours of volunteer time across eight decades to help keep Ohioans safe. The Auxiliary accepts applications from Ohioans through age 57.

To apply as either a regular Auxiliary officer or for the Auxiliary Cadet program, go to our site’s recruiting page.

New OSHP Auxiliary class graduates

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary graduated our newest training class on October 10, 2021. The new Auxiliaries are:

  • Vanessa Anderson, D3 Cleveland

  • Casey Williams, D3 Cleveland

  • Louis Libessart, D4 Warren

  • Blake Gibbs, D5 Piqua

  • Dan Masula, D6 Columbus

  • Buhari Amiibayin, D6 Columbus

  • Dennis Swick, D6 Columbus

  • Travis Bennington, D8 Wilmington

  • Jimmy Bolen, D9 Jackson

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary is an all-volunteer force which provides assistance to troopers in the course of their duties. Among the duties of an Auxiliary officer are crash scene and traffic stop assistance, traffic control, disaster relief and special detail support.

If you are interested in becoming an Auxiliary officer, go to www.oshpauxiliary.org/join to learn more and to apply.

2020 OSHP Auxiliary award recipients

Below are the Auxiliary’s 2020 statewide and district winners. In addition, four Auxiliaries received Certificates of Recognition from the Patrol for actions last year. Congratulations to all of these Auxiliary Officers.

State Auxiliary of the Year 

Auxiliary Lt. Mary McPherson is our Auxiliary Officer of the Year.  Mary joined the Auxiliary in May 2003 and for most of her career was based out of D9 before moving to Columbus. McPherson volunteered over 900 hours with the Patrol in 2020, the vast majority of that time working emergency callout duties including assisting at food distribution details and the Ohio Statehouse during protests. Mary was promoted to sergeant in 2006 and to lieutenant in 2009. 

William J. Duffy Award of Excellence 

Auxiliary Sgt. Joshua Jordan is the 2020 William J. Duffy Award of Excellence recipient. Josh joined the Auxiliary in February 2018.  He was promoted to sergeant at the end of 2019. In 2020, Josh volunteered over 1300 hours with the Patrol, including 260 hours on road patrol with troopers and 452 hours doing emergency callouts including assisting at food distribution details and the Ohio Statehouse during protests. Over the last three years, Jordan has volunteered a total of 2801 hours with the Patrol.

Certificates of Recognition 

Colonel Richard Fambro has awarded the following Auxiliaries the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Certificate of Recognition: Auxiliary Lieutenant Mary McPherson, Auxiliary Sergeant Joshua J. Jordan, and Auxiliary Officers Kelly Bratton and Richard Ji.  

On May 4, 2020, Auxiliary Lieutenant Mary McPherson and Auxiliary Officers Kelly Bratton and Richard Ji were at St. Stephen's Community House in Columbus for a special detail directing traffic for the food pantry.  On that day, they observed a car going west on 17th Avenue with another car chasing behind it. The lead car lost control, jumped the curb, and spun onto the grass near the food pantry parking lot. The subject of that car fled on foot into the neighborhood. Auxiliary Officer Richard Ji contacted the Columbus Dispatch Center and gave the location, direction, and plate numbers of the vehicles involved and requested assistance to the scene. Officer Kelly Bratton checked on the driver of the car that was hit in the intersection making sure they were okay, while Auxiliary Lieutenant McPherson checked on the driver that was chasing the first car at a high rate of speed. The driver said that she was chasing her vehicle because it had been stolen from her front yard. The Auxiliaries kept the Columbus Dispatch Center informed and secured the scene until Columbus Police and medics arrived. McPherson, Bratton and Ji are hereby awarded the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Certificate of Recognition.    

On April 9, 2020, Trooper Jarid I. Fitzpatrick was working traffic control at the St. Stephens Community Food Pantry in Columbus, Ohio, when he witnessed a man chasing a woman in a car down 17th Avenue. His vehicle struck her car, causing her to lose control in the food pantry parking lot. The suspect then drove into the parking lot to pursue her but became trapped in traffic. As the suspect exited his vehicle he charged Trooper Fitzpatrick. Auxiliary Sergeant Joshua J. Jordan quickly responded to assist Trooper Fitzpatrick with the aggressive suspect, who was later found to be under the influence.  The suspect was subdued and later charged and convicted of felony domestic violence and OVI.  For his assistance in diffusing a dangerous situation, Auxiliary Sergeant Joshua J. Jordan is hereby awarded the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Certificate of Recognition. 

2020 Auxiliary District Winners 

Congratulations to all our Auxiliary district award winners.

  • D1 Findlay: Aux. Officer Joshua Scharp, P-32

  • D2 Bucyrus: Aux. Sgt. Tom Reffey, P-17 

  • D3 Cleveland: Aux. Officer Lorenzo Butts, P-76 

  • D4 Warren: Aux. Officer Alex Kalis, P-78 

  • D5 Piqua: Aux. Sgt. Jami Hackworth, P-12 

  • D6 Columbus: Aux. Officer Xiaoxiang (Richard) Ji, P-21 

  • D7 Cambridge: Aux. Sgt. Eric Heller, P-79 

  • D8 Wilmington: Aux. Officer Jeremy Gale, P-14 

  • D9 Jackson: Aux. Officer Tyler Griffis, P-5 

2020 Auxiliary training class

On March 1, 2020, the Auxiliary graduated a training class of 16 new Auxiliary officers. Due to the pandemic their photo wasn’t uploaded at the time.

The new Auxiliaries are:

  • Nathan Brown, D2 Bucyrus

  • Jennifer Rathfelder, D2 Bucyrus

  • Nicholas Damato, D3 Cleveland

  • Brandon McEwen, D3 Cleveland

  • Shane Scott. D3 Cleveland

  • Robert Nykile, D4 Warren

  • Joanna Killingsworth, D5 Piqua

  • Kelly Bratton, D6 Columbus

  • Blake Hutto, D6 Columbus

  • Richard Ji, D6 Columbus

  • Robert Smith, D6 Columbus

  • Joshua Van Dyke, D6 Columbus

  • Kyle Moye, D8 Wilmington

  • Randall Riesbeck, D8 Wilmington

  • Payton Curran, D9 Jackson

  • Tyler Griffis, D9 Jackson

Congrats to all of these Auxiliaries, who stepped up during a difficult time in Ohio’s history. They helped deliver food and traffic control at food drives across the state in the early months of the pandemic.

Major Lois Lust named State Auxiliary Officer of the Year

From left to right: Patrol Superintendent Colonel Paul Pride, Aux. Major Lois Lust, Aux. Col. Bryon Doty, and Director of Public Safety John Born

Auxiliary Major Lois J. Lust joined the Patrol Auxiliary in April 1995 and was assigned to the Marion Post as an Auxiliary officer. While at the Marion Post, she was promoted to the rank of Auxiliary captain in 1998, and Auxiliary major in 2013.

In 2016, Aux. Maj. Lust volunteered 947 hours of time in assistance with Patrol duties. This time included riding on patrol, assisting at the Ohio State Fair, Ohio State University football game details, sobriety checkpoints, Shield Details and working at the Academy store. Aux. Maj. Lust is the first woman to earn State Auxiliary Officer of the Year.

Aux. Maj. Lust retired from teaching after 37 years with the Marion City Schools.

Staff Lt. David Pillion receives William J. Duffy Award of Excellence

From left to right: Patrol Superintendent Colonel Paul Pride, Aux. S/Lt. David Pillion, Aux. Col. Bryon Doty, and Director of Public Safety John Born

Auxiliary Staff Lieutenant David F. Pillion has received the 2016 William J. Duffy Award of Excellence. The award requires a minimum of 300 volunteer hours per year over three consecutive years.

Aux. S/Lt. Pillion joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol Auxiliary in 1993 and is assigned to the Delaware Post. While at the Delaware Post, he was promoted to the rank of Auxiliary lieutenant in 2004. In 2015, he was promoted to the rank of Auxiliary staff lieutenant. Over the last three years, he has volunteered an average of 300 hours per year which includes riding on patrol, assisting at the Ohio State Fair, Ohio State University football game details, sobriety checkpoints, Shield Details and working at the Academy store.

Aux. S/Lt. Pillion earned Auxiliary Officer of the Year in 2015. He retired from the Ohio Attorney General’s Office as an investigator in 2013.