Oklahoma Highway Patrol - Train Like a Trooper Podcast

In this episode, we talk to Troopers Chris Wade and Weston Baker, who are both graduates of the last lateral academy, OHP's 73rd Academy. As we open applications for the next lateral, the OHP 75th Academy, these troopers talk about their decision to leave a law enforcement job with another agency and join the OHP. Hear what they thought of the experience and why they decided their careers could flourish with the Highway Patrol. A must hear for anyone thinking about applying for the 75th! 

In this episode, we hear from Troopers Austin Brown and Keyton Davis. They have recently become OHP's full-time recruiters. We talk about the new division, why it's important, and what OHP is looking for in cadets. If you've ever wondered what it takes to become a trooper, take a listen! 

Join host Sarah Stewart and PIO Trooper Preston Cox as they speak with two of the cadets from the OHP 73rd Lateral Academy. The academy graduated just before Christmas 2024 and we spoke with the cadets about a month before graduation. All lateral academy cadets were already in law enforcement before joining OHP. Hear why they wanted to become Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers.

The State of Oklahoma, along with the Department of Public Safety, the Oklahoma County Terrorism Intelligence Center (OCTIC), and the Oklahoma School Security Institute developed the free, anonymous, Protect OK app. The ProtectOK app consolidates all suspicious activity reporting into one easy-to-use platform. The app even allows users to upload pictures and videos when reporting suspicious activity, making it easier than ever to report. In this episode, we hear from the Oklahoma Counter Terrorism Intelligence Center's Director and Assistant Director, Captain Allan Young and Jason Knight, along with an intelligence analyst from OCTIC about how this new app is keeping our schools and communities safe.

Public Information Director Sarah Stewart and PIO Trooper Preston Cox #248 interview with two graduates of the 72nd Oklahoma Highway Patrol Academy. The two graduates are Trooper Truitt and Trooper Butler. 

May 26, 1978, is the darkest day in the history of OHP, when three troopers were slain in two separate shootouts with two escaped Oklahoma State Prison convicts. In this podcast, Captain Ronnie Hampton talks about his extensive research on the 34-day trail of terror by the two convicts before they were killed as well in the shootout with troopers. We also talk to LT Mike Williams and his wife about that day. LT Williams shot and killed one of the suspects, bringing the deadly encounter to a final end.

Join Train Like a Trooper hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk about new education requirements to become a trooper. Guest Dustin Whitten with OSU/OKC discusses the unique partnership with OHP and how it's creating a path for potential candidates to become troopers with little to no prior college credit hours. 

Trooper Danny Long, head of the First Responder Wellness Division and Stacey Stephens, a Licensed Professional Counselor, talk about the new initiative to get all troopers six free counseling sessions a year. This is a groundbreaking effort that will eventually expand to other first responders and will make a difference in the mental well-being of our law enforcement and other first responders.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster #724 for the third part of the discussion about the newly formed Oklahoma First Responder Wellness Division. Trooper Danny Long #926 is heading up this effort to revamp the Officer Assistance Program for the Highway Patrol as well as for first responders around our state. In this podcast, we bring in LPC Amy Morgan who is helping to develop the program and they talk about what this will look like, first for DPS employees, and ultimately for law enforcement and their families all over Oklahoma.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they continue the talk with Trooper Danny Long and his vision for the new Officer Wellness Program for OHP. Trooper Long's personal journey through his career with OHP has uniquely prepared him to reshape this agency program. Learn how it will involve every trooper and eventually every employee of DPS in the mental wellness process.

Trooper Danny Long #926 shares his very personal story about his struggles with mental health over the course of his law enforcement career. His experiences have shaped who he is today and have paved the way for his latest mission - revamping the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officer Assistance Program. Over the next two podcasts, we'll hear from Trooper Long as he details his journey and then discusses his plans to make mental wellness a priority for the patrol and how he plans to make resources readily available for every trooper in the state.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk with Trooper Kyle Borden, who was instrumental in getting the Oklahoma Highway patrol certified as an official CrossFit Box. Learn what this distinction means for the patrol and current and future troopers and how this can be a recruiting tool for the highway patrol.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they discuss the only unsolved homicide case involving an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper. Trooper James Long was gunned down in the line of duty back in 1942. The shooter has never been apprehended. Trooper Mark Dlugokinski discusses the case and the efforts over the years to solve it.

On this episode of Train Like a Trooper, hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster along with Trooper BJ Keeling talk with Dr. Jarrad Wagner about important chemistry on roadside contacts.  Dr. Wagner is a professor of forensic sciences at the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, and specializes in research and instruction in forensic toxicology and chemistry.

On this episode of TLAT we are featuring Jeff Sifers discussing report writing for LEOs. Sifers is a prosecutor for Grady County and, was recently, a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor for the DA's Council.  Hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster along with Trooper BJ Keeling talk about the importance of working from the traffic stop all the way through to conviction on a DUI case.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they head to DRE (Drug Recognition Expert) school in Durant and talk to Karl Citek, a Professor of Optometry from Forest Grove, Oregon. Professor Citek was in Oklahoma teaching law enforcement about nystagmus testing for intoxicated individuals and how clues from the eyes can be a valuable tool in DUI enforcement.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement with LT Preston Lay of OHP Troop S (Size and Weights). Learn how Troop S is providing the safest environment for motorists by enforcing commercial motor vehicle laws and Federal Motor Carrier regulations. By employing innovative and effective enforcement strategies based upon statistical data, the troopers of Troop S pursue public safety through the reduction of commercial vehicle crashes.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they interview Troopers Trevor Flanagan and Amy Cobalt, two of the counselors at this year's Cadet Lawman camp. Cadet Lawman is a free week-long camp for kids in between their junior and senior years of high school, sponsored by OHP, Oklahoma State Troopers Association and Oklahoma Elks Major Projects. The cadets learn everything about OHP and gets hands on experience driving patrol vehicles, flying in OHP aircraft and riding in OHP boats.

In this episode of Train Like a Trooper, hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster visit with an Oklahoma Department of Transportation superintendent about work zone safety. Hear about the close calls and tragedies he's witnessed over the years and the advice he has for motorists in these areas where extra precautions need to be taken.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they speak with Kathy "Doc" Thomas. Dr. Thomas has been involved with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol for more than twenty years, ensuring Troopers and their families have a way to deal with the stresses of the job. Hear about the history of mental wellness in law enforcement in Oklahoma and how one critical incident in 1995 changed the way the Patrol treated mental wellness.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk to Trooper BJ Keeling, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and the DRE coordinator for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. In this episode, they discuss summer impaired driving ahead of the kickoff to the summertime season, Memorial Day weekend. Hear how the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is actively working to prevent and detect impaired driving to keep everyone safe on the roads this summer, especially around our state's lakes.

Join us as we talk to Captain Gary Vinson, who is the commander over the OHP Honor Guard. Capt. Vinson talks about the rich history of the Honor Guard and the importance of their role in honoring retired and active troopers.

On this anniversary of the devastating tornado of May 3, 1999, retired troopers Craig Medcalf, Corey Miner and Charlie Samples take time to remember their experiences on that day. Join us as they recall the devastating things they saw, the people they rescued and the Oklahoma standard they witnessed. These retired troopers also talk about lessons learned and how it's affected training for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

April is Women's History Month, and on this week's podcast, hear from one the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's women history makers. Trooper Lateka Alexander is the first, and at this time only, black female Oklahoma trooper. Hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster talk to Trooper Alexander about why she pursued a career with the OHP, and what her almost 20-year experience has been like.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as we look back 26 years ago on this day when the unthinkable happened in the heart of Oklahoma City – the Murrah Federal Building bombing. We talk to Lieutenant Larry Saxon and Lieutenant Mike Roe, two troopers who were some of the first on scene that day and are still with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol today. Hear what they experienced that day and how it's affected their careers and lives.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they talk about the vital lifeline to Troopers in the field, dispatch. Communications Lieutenant Katie White and Communications Sergeant Renee Martinez discuss their very different backgrounds and how they got started with OHP Communications. Hear stories of trials and triumphs as they discuss why dispatchers are incredibly important to the Patrol.

Join Trooper BJ Keeling, a Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) and the DRE coordinator for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol as he talks with host Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster about the DRE program and why it's so important to Oklahoma. DREs are highly trained law enforcement officers who can recognize the signs of impairment beyond the basics. These officers, deputies, and troopers are vital to stopping impaired driving in Oklahoma. 

Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Trooper Eric Foster as they speak with Dr. Roger Webb, former DPS Commissioner. Dr. Webb was Commissioner from 1974-1978 during many high profile incidents in the State of Oklahoma, including the Girl Scout murders, McAlester prison riots, the Karen Silkwood crash and Caddo/Kenefic, the darkest day in the history of the OHP when three troopers were murdered. The OHP Tactical Team was also formed during Webb's tenure as Commissioner. Webb is part of the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame and the Forensic Science Institute at the University of Central Oklahoma is named after him. Download to hear his fascinating stories!

Join host Sarah Stewart as she speaks with Lt. John Vincent and Trooper Clint Riddle from our Troop MC (Motorcycles). Learn more about the bikes they ride, the way they train and the FREE motorcycle safety education they offer to the public statewide, and why they were the original "flying squadron" in Oklahoma. This highly specialized traffic enforcement division also provides escorts for special events such as presidential visits.

Join hosts Sarah Stewart, Lieutenant Mystal Perkins, and Trooper Eric Foster as they discuss the trooper mindset with Lieutenant Steven Cornell. Cornell saw a need in the western part of Oklahoma for a gun range, so he built one. The gun range at Cornell's home has hosted countless thousands of training rounds over the years and continues to be an asset to the Patrol. Join the conversation as Cornell shares the importance of why we train the way we do.

Join host Sarah Stewart, Lieutenant Mystal Perkins, and Trooper Eric foster for the "passing of the microphone" from Perkins to Foster. Lieutenant Perkins was promoted to her current rank and assigned to Troop A (Oklahoma City metro).

Join host Sarah Stewart and Lieutenant Bradley Dansby as they discuss a not-so-hidden talent and possible family ties to the King. Dansby discusses his role with the Traffic Homicide Unit and gives some background on how the unit was created.

Join Dive Team members Lieutenant Jeff James and Lieutenant Brandon Schneider, along with Lieutenant Mystal Perkins and host Sarah Stewart as they discuss what it takes to be on the OHP Dive Team. James and Schneider share personal stories of some of the tragic recoveries they have made, along with some high-profile cases.

Join Trooper Eric Foster, Lieutenant Mystal Perkins, and host Sarah Stewart as they discuss why field training is so important to being an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper. Foster, now assigned to the Public Affairs division, has trained numerous Troopers over the years in the Oklahoma City metro area. Foster and Perkins discuss some of the serious and some of the more lighthearted lessons learned during field training.

Join Lieutenant Liles, the Statewide Occupant Protection Coordinator for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and hosts Trooper Foster and Sarah Stewart as they discuss how seat belts and car seats can save lives. Some people think seat belt laws exist to take money from people, but it's about more than just a citation. The Statewide Occupant Protection Coordinator position with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol is funded in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Join Trooper Ryan Griffith, Trooper George Hoyle, and host Sarah Stewart in a discussion about the OHP's marine enforcement division; Troop W. Hear how the division got it's start, and a heart-wrenching story of how proper safety on the water can be a matter of life and death.

Learn more about the OHP Bomb Squad! Join hosts Sarah Stewart and Lieutenant Mystal Perkins as they speak with bomb tech, Trooper John Marion. Trooper Marion covers the history of the squad, how they train and the duties they're called to all over the state.

Nationally known police officer and drug interdiction trainer Dennis Benigno joins Lieutenant Perkins and Sarah Stewart to discuss his company, Street Cop Training, and what it means to be in law enforcement in these uncertain times. Join the conversation and see what you can learn in this episode of Train Like A Trooper.

Join OHP Trooper Eric Foster and Aaron Nickell with host Sarah Stewart as they relive the tragic night that Trooper Nicholas Dees and Trooper Keith Burch were struck by a distracted driver. Trooper Dees and Trooper Keith Burch were investigating a semi-truck crash on Interstate 40 in Seminole County on the night of January 31, 2015. The crash killed Trooper Dees, and seriously injured Trooper Burch. This January, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will partner with other agencies across Oklahoma to step up distracted driving enforcement.

Hosts Sarah Stewart and Lieutenant Mystal Perkins are joined by Captain Donald Kerr to discuss what it means to be an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper and what to expect for cadets entering the 67th academy. Captain Kerr and Lieutenant Perkins reminisce over their academy days and talk about why theirs was the last "real academy". Take a listen to this podcast to learn more about the application process, daily routine of the academy, and more information from Captain Kerr.

The Oklahoma Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol are excited to launch the first episode of the "Train Like a Trooper" podcast. In this episode, you will hear from the hosts of the podcast as well as the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety, the Chief of Administration, and the Chief of the Patrol. This podcast will feature stories from the Department of Public Safety and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Hear about troops and divisions that you may not know exist. The podcast will feature stories from the road and highlight the bravery and dedication of the Patrol to the citizens of Oklahoma.