Meet the 2024 IACP/Motorola Solutions Trooper of the Year Finalists!

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.
 
There were many submissions detailing the courageous, dedicated acts of troopers in state and provincial agencies that exemplify what it means to serve and protect their communities.  This year’s regional finalists are: 

Corporal Travis Gurney
Idaho State Police
IACP State and Provincial Police Division - Mountain Pacific Region

On January 4, 2024, Idaho State Police assisted the Power County Sheriff’s Office with a pursuit on Interstate 86. During the initial chase, the suspect collided with several vehicles, lost control, and began driving westbound in the eastbound lane. After two failed Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuvers, the suspect changed directions and began traveling eastbound in the westbound lane. 

As Corporal Travis Gurney continued the pursuit, he passed numerous vehicles heading directly toward the wrong-way driver. Approximately 20 seconds before a likely collision, Gurney used his emergency lights to move a passenger bus out of the left lane. 

Recognizing the imminent danger to the public, Corporal Gurney positioned his vehicle in preparation to collide with the wrong-way vehicle, which was approaching at approximately 70-mph. Without concern for himself, Corporal Gurney turned his wheel 90 degrees to the right, diverting a potential head-on impact to the passenger side of his vehicle. This impact forced the suspect's vehicle off the road and away from oncoming traffic, averting what likely would have been a multiple-fatality crash. Despite having just been involved in a major collision, Corporal Gurney exited his cruiser and assisted with the suspect’s apprehension.

The following day, the bus driver and a passenger called the office to convey appreciation to Corporal Gurney for his life-saving efforts. Following the incident, Corporal Gurney worked to enhance the Idaho State Police’s Peer Support Program, became an advocate for officer mental health and emotional wellness, emphasized the importance of PTSD treatment, and implemented procedural changes to expand the type and length of care injured troopers receive. 

Trooper Richard Berlandy
Vermont State Police 
IACP State and Provincial Police Division - North Atlantic Region

On July 14, 2024, federal agents in Rhode Island notified New Hampshire and Vermont law enforcement agencies about an armed and dangerous fugitive who had crossed state lines. Authorities in New Hampshire spotted the suspect and began a pursuit that continued into Vermont. Despite the deployment of tire-deflation devices, the suspect continued driving as Vermont State Police began their own pursuit.

Sergeant Joshua Mikkola and Troopers Richard Berlandy and Jesse Nash followed the fugitive for another 20 miles until Trooper Berlandy overtook the vehicle with a boxing-in maneuver. After making contact, Trooper Berlandy’s cruiser and the fugitive’s truck both crashed into a ditch. The suspect emerged from his vehicle and immediately began firing multiple rounds at Trooper Berlandy with an AR-15 style weapon from less than 10 feet away. Trapped behind the wheel of his cruiser, Trooper Berlandy returned fire through his closed window.

The fugitive retreated to a nearby residence and was subsequently struck by police gunfire. Despite being on the ground, the fugitive ignored commands to show his hands and fired approximately 40 additional rounds in a matter of seconds. At this point, the fugitive's firearm jammed, and he gave up, raising his hands in the air. After disarming the fugitive, Trooper Berlandy expertly rendered aid to treat and stabilize the suspect, greatly contributing to saving the life of the man who had just attempted to kill multiple troopers.

Trooper Peter Hummel
Missouri State Highway Patrol
IACP State and Provincial Police Division - North Central Region

On January 24, 2024, Missouri state troopers were involved in a multi-agency vehicle pursuit with a suspect who reportedly fled from law enforcement in Quincy, Illinois. The suspect’s vehicle was being pursued by Master Sergeant John Henry and Trooper Kristopher Geren, who were riding together. After the deployment of tire-deflation devices, the suspect traveled a short distance before exiting the highway. Master Sergeant Henry and Trooper Geren lost sight of the suspect after he crossed MO-151 and traveled down an embankment where his vehicle became disabled. The suspect opened the driver side door and fired one round from a high-powered rifle, striking the driver’s side windshield of the cruiser, wounding Trooper Geren in the left shoulder with projectile fragments. 

Corporal Brett Tappendorf and Trooper Peter Hummel, who had joined the pursuit, stopped their patrol vehicles on the entrance ramp, southeast of the suspect's vehicle.  The suspect opened his driver side door and pointed a scoped rifle at the patrol vehicle operated by Trooper Geren. Recognizing the threat, Trooper Geren began backing up his vehicle as the suspect fired a round striking the driver’s side windshield of Trooper Geren’s cruiser. The suspect then directed his rifle at Corporal Tappendorf’s patrol vehicle and fired a second round that struck the passenger side of the cruiser. Corporal Tappendorf and Trooper Hummel both responded to the deadly threat by discharging rounds from their patrol rifles at the suspect, who fired a third round from his rifle. During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was struck and subsequently exited his vehicle and surrendered. After apprehending the suspect, officers attended to his wounds and requested emergency medical services. 

Trooper First Class II Julian Mapes
Georgia State Patrol 
IACP State and Provincial Police Division - Southern Region

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.

IACP and Motorola Solutions look forward to honoring the finalists on March 20th from 6pm-9pm at the 2025 Division Midyear in Orlando, Florida. To learn more about the 2025 Division Midyear meeting, click here.