From left to right: IACP President, Chief Ken Walker; IACP Division of State & Provincial Police General Chair, Colonel Matthew Birmingham; Trooper First Class II Julian Mapes, Georgia State Patrol; Colonel William Hitchens III, Georgia State Patrol; Public Safety Specialist Lieutenant Colonel Alan Melvin (Ret.), Motorola Solutions

Each year the IACP and Motorola Solutions recognize state troopers and provincial police who have demonstrated bravery, courage, leadership, and professionalism. At the annual Division Midyear meeting, the IACP and Motorola Solutions honor four regional finalists and announce the IACP/Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year. 

Motorola Solutions is proud to partner with the International Association of Chiefs of Police to honor the selfless work being done in police agencies every day around the world. Men and women in state and provincial police agencies know the situations they face can change in an instant, yet they continue to put their lives on the line to help keep their communities safe. Motorola Solutions humbly recognizes the brave efforts of our four finalists and the sacrifices made by all law enforcement.

On the evening of November 30, 2024, Trooper First Class II Julian Mapes and Trooper Cadet South were patrolling Interstate 20, conducting field training. They observed two white vehicles traveling 103-mph in a 70-mph zone. The vehicles were matching each other’s speed—a clear sign of street racing. Trooper Mapes called in to radio traffic, stating they were attempting to stop the vehicles. The vehicles immediately exited the interstate; one continuing northbound while the other quickly turned into a Shell gas station.

The vehicle at the Shell station came to an abrupt stop, and both occupants fled on foot. The driver fled around the back of the gas station while the passenger fled toward I-20. Both Trooper Mapes and Cadet South immediately sprang into action and gave chase, with Cadet South pursuing the driver and Trooper Mapes pursuing the passenger. During the pursuit, the passenger produced a handgun and began firing at Trooper Mapes. Without hesitation, Trooper Mapes began to exchange fire with the suspect. During the exchange, the suspect struck Trooper Mapes, who continued the pursuit despite being injured. Upon hearing gunfire, Cadet South decided to stop pursuing the driver and return to support Mapes while radioing for assistance. Under heavy gunfire, Trooper Mapes knelt and performed a tactical reload, stood back up, and eliminated the continued threat. By the time Cadet South got to Trooper Mapes’s location, the threat had been eliminated, so Cadet South assisted in securing the suspect. Both began providing medical attention to the suspect until EMS could arrive.

The IACP/Motorola Solutions 2024 Trooper of the Year finalists were Corporal Travis Gurney, Idaho State Police; Trooper Richard Berlandy, Vermont State Police; Trooper Peter Hummel, Missouri State Highway Patrol; and Trooper First Class II Julian Mapes, Georgia State Patrol. Their stories can be found on the IACP website.