The Vermont State Police will hold its Annual Awards Ceremony at 10 AM Friday, Sept. 19, in the House Chamber of the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier.
Scheduled speakers include Gov. Phil Scott, Commissioner of Public Safety Jennifer Morrison and Col. Matthew T. Birmingham, director of the state police. They will honor members of the agency and others for acts of heroism and community service, and recognize 23 sworn members of the state police who have received promotions since last year’s awards ceremony was held in September 2024.
The following individuals will receive awards and promotions:
Awards
Director’s Award
Division Commander’s Award
- Detective Sgt. James Vooris for his outstanding job performance as the case lead in the Auclair homicide.
Lifesaving Award & Combat Cross
- Sgt. Joshua Mikkola, Trooper Richard Berlandy, and Trooper Jesse Nash for their actions July 14, 2024, when apprehending a fugitive from justice who was shooting at them.
Lifesaving Award
- Dispatcher Shania Corliss for her actions Sept. 3, 2024, when she assisted a mother in labor and the baby presenting feet first.
- Trooper Nathaniel Quealy and Dispatcher Brittany Wood for their actions Dec. 8, 2024, when they assisted a woman who was attempting self harm.
- Trooper Chayan Flores for his actions March 21, 2025, when he demonstrated exceptional situational awareness for an individual choking on his meal.
- Lt. Thomas Howard, Detective Sgt. Michael Mattuchio, Detective Sgt. Megan Sheridan, Trooper Clay Knight, Trooper Robert Lemnah, Trooper Blaz Mihaljevic, Trooper Mae Murdock, Trooper Alyssa Nozka, and Embedded Mental Health Worker Tyler Spring for their actions May 15, 2025, when they assisted a woman who was suffering mental health issues and attempting self harm.
Combat Cross
- Trooper Adam Roaldi for his actions June 12, 2024, where he assisted a person suffering from an opioid overdose only to be met with an imminent adversary armed with a shotgun.
Promotions
Lieutenant Colonel
- Shawn Loan – April 6, 2025
Major
- Jeremy Hill – April 6, 2025
- Steven Coote – Sept. 21, 2025
Captain
- Ashley Barnes – Jan. 26, 2025
- John-Paul Schmidt – Jan. 26, 2025
- Christopher Barber – May 5, 2024
Lieutenant
- Karl Gardner – Feb. 23, 2025
- Tyson Kinney – Feb. 23, 2025
- Amber Keener – March 23, 2025
- Todd Wilkins – July 27, 2025
- Neil Carey – Aug. 10, 2025
- Brittani Barone – Aug. 24, 2025
- Dustin Robinson – Aug. 24, 2025
Sergeant
- Daniel Bohnyak – March 9, 2025
- Steven Fauteux – March 9, 2025
- Christopher Loyzelle – March 9, 2025
- Matthew Chin – May 4, 2025
- Benjamin Irwin – May 4, 2025
- Mark Pohlman – May 4, 2025
- Joshua Hansell – July 27, 2025
- Sean Hauter – Sept. 21, 2025
- Christopher Hein – Sept. 21, 2025
Corporal
- Ashley Farmer – Jan. 18, 2025