A group of Kansas Highway Patrol recruits had their badges pinned on Thursday afternoon in Salina and officially became troopers. The six new state troopers were part of KHP Recruit Class #54, the latest graduates from the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Academy.

During the graduation ceremony the class took their oath of office and received their badges, each being pinned by one of their loved ones.

KHP command staff members spoke, including Retired Lieutenant Colonel Alan Stoecklein. The  new troop class president Quinten Shoopmaner also spoke.

In a tradition of the Patrol, the 10 KHP troopers who have lost their lives in the line of duty were honored.

Throughout their time at the training academy, recruits have gone through classroom and practical training. They have learned accident investigation techniques; testing of impaired drivers; Kansas laws and statutes; among many other things. They have practiced car stops; at the firing range; defensive tactics; testing for DUI; and other critical training components that they will need to incorporate as they are on their own out on the road.

The new troopers have been assigned to Trego, Ford, Shawnee, Sedgwick, Neosho, and Johnson Counties.

The patrol is currently accepting applications for the next class of troopers, which will begin in Salina in January.