Recent News

Butch & Brenda Collins made an early morning trip to the Lima Retirees breakfast, providing updates on STO accomplishments and other matters impacting the Patrol. From the left: Butch & Brenda Collins, Russ & Judy Bennett, Kelli Jackson, Ottawa PD Retiree Rodney Sutter, and Jim & Debra Smelser. We will be at the Wooster Breakfast on Tuesday, the East Side Pickerington Breakfast on Thursday and the Mansfield Breakfast on Saturday (2/10). Thanks to these retirees and the many others supporting our efforts: State Troopers of Ohio Inc.

STO Board Members Rob Hartsell with Butch & Brenda Collins visited our District 3 Patrons at the Green Leaf Restaurant in Wooster on Tuesday, February 6th. From the left seated: Ed Bowman, Joe Arthur, Judy Smith, Larry Davis, Bill Healy, Butch Collins. Standing: Brenda Collins, Jim Chapman, Larry Meredith, Jim Roth, Ray Smith, J.P. Allen, Harv Callahan, Jim Debevec, Rob Hartsell, Lee Dehoff, and Dale Larue. Left before the photo: Matt Witmer and Eric Sheppard. Thanks to these retirees and the many others supporting our efforts: State Troopers of Ohio Inc.

STO Board Members Rob Hartsell, Butch Collins, and Paul Pride visited our "East Side" Patrons at the Scramblers Restaurant in Pickerington on Thursday, February 8th. From the left: Art Wilson, Don Goodman, Jeff May, Roger Landis, Bob Myers, and Rob Hartsell. Seated in front:Butch Collins and Paul Pride.

Thanks to these retirees and the many others supporting our efforts: State Troopers of Ohio Inc.

STO Board Memebers Butch & Brenda Collins made the trip to the Wildcat Cafe in Vanlue for the monthly Findlay Retiree's Breakfast. Joining us on February 15th: Tim Stockman, Bob Foust, Brian Cupp, Larry Hetrick, Will Sturgill, Ken Walerius, and Tom Romaker. We will be providing a schedule for our visits in March. Thanks to all of our retired and active Patrons who are supporting the State Troopers of Ohio Inc.

We had a great visit with a our District 5 Retirees at the Lincoln Square V Restaurant in Troy, discussing the many issues facing our active and retired ranks. Thanks to our District 5 Friends Chuck Wright, Dan Dickerson, Bob Syckes, Jerry Miller, Kyle Albright, Bruce Ruese, John Procuniar, and active Communication Manager Dane Mowen for hosting us. We hope to see many more of our members at the Retirees Cookout on June 21st!

Retirees' Association First VP Dale LaRue dropped in at the Wayside Family Restaurant for the Warren Retirees Breakfast on July 28th. Dale shared this photo of most of the attendees.

Thanks for sharing Dale!

Enjoyed the morning (August 8th) checking in on the Bucyrus Coffee Club at the Pelican Coffee House in beautiful downtown Bucyrus! A nice discussion on the topics of the day. From the left; Butch and Brenda Collins with Retirees Rich Logsdon, Steve Stierhoff, Mark Sigler, Jim Bryan and Bucyrus Post Commander, Lieutenant Ty Skaggs. The 'BCC' meets on the second Thursday of the month, 8:00 AM.

A few of the many instructors and friends celebrating the career of retired Captain Robert "Bob" Welsh at the classroom dedication ceremony on Friday, August 9th. Captain Welsh is acknowledged as the originator of the Division’s Officer Safety Program because of his unwavering dedication to the training of law enforcement officers in personal safety and self-defense. Joining Captain Welsh in this photo, former Academy Instructors Toby Smith, PeytonWatts, Bob Welsh, Rob Hartsell, Bill Healy, and Brenda Collins.

At the 2024 Sunbird Reunion - Annual Dinner we were blessed to have 11 graduates of the Hartman Farm join us for our day of fellowship. From the left, including academy class number - Jack Holland #64, Bob Carson #47, Delmer Dunlap #58, Bill Snyder #66, Ernie Wigglesworth #42, Tom Rice #55, Delmer Everett #52, Ray Smith #59, Ed Suffecool #59, Jim 'Skip' Spurrier #60, and Tom Romaker #60.

Thank You Dale LaRue for sharing this photo of the Lisbon Post get-together at Pondi's Restaurant on November 20th.

L-R. Dick Klaes, Trooper. Larry Jenkins, Trooper Harvy Callahan, Captain Don Kubis, Trooper Gary Dolak, Sergeant Mike Smith, PUCO Dave Leffel, dispatcher and MVI Dale LaRue, Sergeant WCT(Chris) Butts, Lieutenant Bob Cooper, Trooper and Union Staff Rep

With Chillicothe Post Commander Aaron Morgan: (left-back to front) Jeff May, Bob Brooks, Fred Summers, Harold Cooper, Brady Turner (right-back to front) Hal Hardiesty, Lt. Morgan, Ed Waltz, Tom Scott.

Mansfield Retirees Breakfast Club, getting together at Paul Reveres Restaurant, Lexington, Ohio on March 8th. Butch Collins, Gary Smith, Ernie Wilson, Jim Flemming, Buddy Beasley, Russ Henley (ODNR Retiree), Kevin Titler, Arnie Schropp, Bob Maxey, Don Maroney

Thanks to all who attended the monthly Wooster Breakfast on August 5th, including Wooster Post Commander Christian Perrin, AP 1 Susan Ballow, and (soon-to-be-retired) Master Trooper Cary Wenger. Retirement System updates were provided by OSHPRS Board Members Darryl Anderson and J.P. Allen, along with legislative updates by State Troopers of Ohio Inc. (STO) Board Members Butch and Brenda Collins. A great day at the Green Leaf!

(See more photos on our Facebook Page)

Did you know there are 15 different "Retirees Gatherings" throughout the State every month! The list has been verified and updated for 2025 on the OHPRS website. Click to the Retirees Events Page.

NEWSECO - A devastating head-on crash on State Route 104 has left two people dead and Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Gunner Combs with life-threatening injuries. The accident occurred Tuesday when a pickup truck crossed the center line and struck Combs’ cruiser head-on. Both the driver and passenger of the pickup were killed in the collision. Trooper Combs, who was trapped in his vehicle, sustained severe injuries particularly to one of his legs. A link to this entire article is provided below.

Trooper Combs is being treated for his injuries at the Ohio State University Medical Center.

A "Go Fund Me" account has been created to assist the Combs Family. Donations can also be made through the Ohio State Highway Patrol Federal Credit Union.

Thanks to our New Philadelphia Retirees for inviting us to their monthly breakfast at Buehlers in New Philly! Retired Sergeant Charlie Demuth was kind enough to wear his "vintage" 1990's Highway Patrol recruitment tee shirt featuring 116th Academy Class classmates George Williams and Brenda Collins, along with former Trooper Louis Velez! Thanks Charlie! A great discussion about our STO lobbying efforts, COLAS, and other concerns facing the OSHP!

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