Promotion: Rene F. Hoopes

Rene  Hoopes was promoted to an Information Technology Specialist 5 effective June 16, 2015.

 

Rene was born in Anchorage, Ala. and graduated from Shelton High School. She received her Associate of Arts degree in primary education from Olympic College and obtained her PC Specialist certification online from Thomsen Education.

Rene began her career with the Washington State Patrol on Aug. 27, 2001, as a Secretary Senior with the Software Engineering Section of the Information Technology Division.

On March 16, 2004, she promoted to Secretary Administrative with ITD.

She began an in-training appointment on Jan. 31, 2005, as an Information Technology Systems Specialist 1.

Rene’s position was reallocated to an Information Technology Specialist 1 on June 1, 2005.

On Jan. 1, 2006, she promoted to an Information Technology Specialist 2, continuing her in-training appointment. One year later she promoted to an Information Technology Specialist 3, completing her in-training appointment.

Rene promoted to an Information Technology Specialist 4 with the Integrated Systems Server Support Unit on April 16, 2014.

It is with distinct pleasure that we acknowledge and honor Rene’s promotion to an Information Technology Specialist 5, effective June 16, 2015.

Rene took the time during her promotion ceremony to thank Corie Wade for seeing the potential she had in an IT profession and always being there to encourage her when René doubted her IT ability.

“Also, a huge thank you to the server group for all the training they provided to me to help me be successful in that incredibly talented and knowledgeable unit,” said Rene. “Thank you to the Customer Services Unit for welcoming me with open arms into their group and for having patience with me while I fill the very large shoes left by Debbie Grulke when she retired.”

René also took the time to express her thanks to her husband, Les, who she celebrated her 14th wedding anniversary with, on the day of her promotion ceremony. He has stood beside her through this incredible ITD journey.

Promotion: Justin M. Destito

Justin M. Destito was promoted to RCW Sergeant effective July 16, 2015.

Justin was born in Walla Walla and graduated from Walla Walla High School. He earned his Associate in Arts Degree from Walla Walla Community College. He then went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts Degree majoring in Social Science from Washington State University.

Justin began his employment with the Washington State Patrol on July 5, 2005, as a trooper cadet, assigned to the Training Division.

On Aug. 22, 2005, he transferred to Mansion Security.

He graduated with the 93^rd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on Nov. 1, 2006, assigned to Bellevue.

Justin transferred to the Breath Test Program in Kennewick on April 16, 2008.

On June 16, 2013, he transferred to Field Operations Bureau assigned to Kennewick.

Justin is currently assigned to Oak Harbor.

Promotion: Deborah D. Wilson

Deborah D. Wilson was promoted to RCW Lieutenant effective Aug. 1, 2015.

Debbie was born in Puyallup, Wash. and graduated from Fife High School.

Her career with the Washington State Patrol began on Dec. 1, 1998, as a Communications Officer, assigned to Tacoma Communications.

She was hired as a Trooper Cadet on Aug. 30, 1999, assigned to Tacoma Communications.

On Jan. 31, 2000, she transferred to the Crash Program, a part of the Accident Records Section. The following month Debbie transferred to the Mansion Security Section of Executive Services.

She graduated with the 86th Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on June 16, 2001, assigned to district 2 Bellevue.

On Oct. 17, 2002, she transferred to District 1 Tacoma.

Debbie promoted to RCW Sergeant on Oct. 1, 2010, assigned to District 3 Kennewick.

She transferred to the Commercial Vehicle Division in Grandview on May 16, 2014.

Debbie remained with CVD upon promotion to RCW Lieutenant.

Promotion: Randy L. Hullinger

Randy L. Hullinger was promoted to RCW Lieutenant.

Randy was born in Seattle and graduated from Hermiston High School in Hermiston, Ore.

He began his employment with the Washington State Patrol as a trooper cadet on Dec. 17, 1990, assigned to the Vehicle Identification Number Section in Vancouver. 

He graduated with the 72nd Trooper Basic Training Class, and was commissioned on June 28, 1991, assigned to Kennewick.

On Jan. 24, 1996, he transferred to Vancouver.

Randy was selected as a Trooper Detective with the Traffic Investigation Division on Sept. 1, 1997.

He was later appointed to Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS) Trooper Detective on July 1, 1998. On January 11, 2000, he transferred to the POPS Auto Theft Detective position. When he ended his two-year assignment he was reassigned to the Traffic Investigation Division of Vancouver on July 1, 2002.

On Nov. 1, 2002, he was reassigned to the Tacoma Auto Theft section of the Traffic Investigation Division

Randy promoted to RCW Sergeant on July 16, 2007, assigned to the Internal Affairs Section.

He transferred to Vancouver three months later. Then on October 16, 2008, he transferred to the Auto Theft Task Force of the Criminal Investigation Division.

On July 1, 2009, he transferred back to Vancouver. He then transferred to the License Investigation Unit.

Randy transferred to the Commercial Vehicle Division on March 16, 2012, assigned to Vancouver.

Randy is currently assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division. 

Promotion: Curt G. Boyle

Curt G. Boyle was promoted to RCW Lieutenant effective July 1, 2015.

Curt was born in Pittsburg, Pa., and graduated from Interlake High School in Bellevue, Wash. He earned his Associates in Arts degree in administration in criminal justice from Bellevue College. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social and Criminal Justice from Ashford University.

Curt began his employment with the Washington State Patrol on Aug. 26, 1996, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to Bellevue.

He graduated from the 80th Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on April 16, 1997, and remained in Bellevue. 

On June 16, 2000, Curt was appointed as a part-time Special Weapons and Tactics member (SWAT).

Curt was appointed as a Problem Oriented Public Safety (POPS) Trooper on Nov. 11, 2002 in Bellevue.

He was appointed to POPS Trooper Detective on Aug. 25, 2003, assigned to the Investigative Assistance Division, Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force.

On Sept. 1, 2005, he transferred to the Field Operations Bureau, assigned to Bellevue.

On Oct. 1, 2009, Curt was appointed to Trooper Detective assigned to the Investigative Assistance Division in Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force in Everett.

Curt was promoted to RCW Sergeant assigned to Burlington on July 16, 2010.

He transferred to Marysville on Sept. 1, 2010.

Curt transferred back to Bellevue on Oct. 16, 2012.

He was appointed to the SWAT Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) on July 16, 2013.

Upon his promotion to RCW Lieutenant he was assigned to Vancouver.

Promotion: James C. Riley

James C. Riley was promoted to staff Captain effective Feb. 3, 2015.

James was born in Chehalis, Wash. and graduated from Marysville Pilchuck High School in 1987. After graduation James served honorably in the United States Marine Corps until 1991.

James began his career with the Washington State Patrol on Nov. 4, 1991, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to mansion security.

He graduated with the 75th Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on July 10, 1992, assigned to Everett.

On Aug. 1, 2000, he was assigned as a member of the WSP canine unit. During this assignment James served as a Narcotic Canine Handler, an Explosive Canine handler and as the WSP’s first canine trainer.

James promoted to RCW Sergeant on Nov. 16, 2006, assigned to the Night Emphasis Enforcement Team (NEET), in Marysville. This team served as the pilot detachment for Target Zero Teams, and officially became TZT on June 16, 2010.

On June 1, 2012, he promoted to RCW Lieutenant, assigned to the Executive Services Section of the Special Operations Division.

James transferred to the Internal Affairs Section with the Office of Professional Standards on April 1, 2013. 

Upon his promotion to staff Captain he was assigned to the Field Operations Bureau, Headquarters, and later transferred to the Office of Professional Standards.

Compliment - Crime Laboratory Division

The following letter was received by James Tarver, Crime Laboratory Division Commander, from Denis Law, Renton Mayor:

July 21, 2015                                                                                            Mayor's Office

 

       Dear Commander Tarver:

 

After a relatively quiet first-half of the year, Renton has experienced three homicides in the past couple weeks. In each of these cases, I had the opportunity to watch your investigators in action and realized how fortunate we are to have their assistance and expertise available to assist our detectives.

 

I suspect your investigators are very busy responding to serious crimes in many jurisdictions that aren't large enough to have forensic experts on staff. It's very disturbing how much violent crime is occurring these days and there's no question that many cases are strengthened or even solved due to the expert service provided by your staff.

 

A recent Renton case is a great example. It was the brutal assault/robbery of an elderly couple at the Barbee Mill residential community in Renton where evidence pointed to a convicted felon who had fled to Spokane. Our detectives worked very hard on this case and the assistance by your staff was invaluable.

 

I have had the pleasure to meet and talk with some of your investigators over the years and I'm impressed with their professionalism and expertise, as well as the great working relationship they have with our detectives.

 

I want to thank you and your staff for the tremendous service you provide. Please don't hesitate to call if there is anything I can do to be supportive of your division.

 

Denis Law

Renton Mayor

Promotion: Melissa A. Chambers

Melissa A. Chambers was promoted to Customer Services Unit Manager effective June 1, 2015.   

Melissa was born in Tacoma and graduated from Timberline High School in Lacey. She attended South Puget Sound Community College where she earned her Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Saint Martin’s University.

Melissa began her career with the Washington State Patrol on Sept. 8, 1998, as a temporary Office Assistant, assigned to the Information Service Division.

On July 6, 1999, she began an in-training appointment as an Office Trainee.

She promoted to Office Assistant on Jan. 6, 2000.

Melissa began an in-training appointment as a College Career Graduate at the Information Technology Division on Oct. 6, 2000.

On April 6, 2002, she promoted to an Information Technology Applications Specialist 1.

She began an in-training appointment as an Information Technology Systems Specialist 2 on Nov. 1, 2002.

Melissa promoted to an Information Technology Systems Specialist 3 on July 7, 2003.

On June 8, 2004, she began an in-training appointment as an Information Technology Systems Specialist 3.

She promoted to an Information Technology Systems Specialist 4 on Dec. 8, 2004.

Melissa began an in-training appointment and promoted to an Information Technology Specialist 5 on Nov. 27, 2005.

Upon her promotion to Customer Services Unit Manager Melissa remained with the Information Technology Division. 

During her promotion ceremony, Melissa thanked her family and her co-workers who continue to support her in her career.

Promotion: Marion M. Clark

Marion M. Clark was promoted to Forensic Scientist 5 effective June 16, 2015.

Marion was born in Anchorage, Alaska and graduated from Service High School in Anchorage. She also attended Montana State University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbial Biotechnology. Marion is completing her Masters of Science Degree in Forensics DNA this fall.

Marion began her career with the Washington State Patrol on Oct. 16, 2007, as a Forensic Scientist 1, assigned to the Tacoma Crime Laboratory.

On Oct. 16, 2008, she promoted to Forensic Scientist 2.

She promoted to a Forensic Scientist 3 on Oct. 16, 2010.

Marion was assigned to the Crime Scene Response Team on May 1, 2012.

Upon her promotion to Forensic Scientist 5, Marion remained at the Tacoma Crime Laboratory. 

Promotion: Jeffrey R. Sass

Jeffrey R. Sass was appointed to Assistant Chief with the Field Operations Bureau effective June 9, 2015.

Jeff was born in Sedro-Woolley, Wash., and graduated from Sedro-Woolley High School.   He graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology and also from City University with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration.

 

Jeff began his employment with the Washington State Patrol on June 24, 1991, as a Forensic Intern with the Seattle Crime Lab. 

 

On June 22, 1992, Jeff became a Trooper Cadet remaining in the Seattle Crime Lab.      

 

He graduated with the 76th Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on May 27, 1993, assigned to Bellevue.

 

Jeff promoted to RCW Sergeant on Sept. 16, 1998, remaining in Bellevue.

 

On Aug. 29, 2002, he promoted to RCW Lieutenant, assigned to the Technical Services Bureau.

 

He transferred to Marysville on Jan. 21, 2003.

 

Jeff transferred to the Vessel and Terminal Security Division on July 18, 2005.

 

On March 13, 2006, he transferred to Bellevue.

 

He was appointed to Staff Captain on Aug. 1, 2010, assigned to the Field Operations Bureau as the Rapid Deployment Force/Incident Management Team Planning Captain. 

 

Jeff transferred to Marysville Oct. 1, 2011. 

 

It is with distinct pleasure that we acknowledge and honor Jeff’s appointment to Assistant Chief with the Field Operations Bureau effective June 9, 2015. 

 

Jeff thanked Chief John R. Batiste for this opportunity to serve the agency in this new capacity. He also thanked his father Stan, not only for being a great dad but for being a mentor during his law enforcement career. 

 

Lastly, he thanked his two boys Jason and Jared, who make him so very proud with all of their accomplishments, and most importantly his wife Jodi, who has supported him every step of the way.

Promotion: Tracy A. Warren

Tracy A. Warren was promoted to the Assistant Fleet Manager for the Property Management Division effective April 16, 2015.

Tracy was born in Olympia and graduated from Timberline High School in Lacey.  

He began his career with the Washington State Patrol on March 17, 1986, in a temporary position as a Trades Helper at the Olympia Auto Shop.

On Nov. 10, 1986, Tracy was selected for the permanent Trades Helper position assigned to the Academy. 

His position was reallocated to an Auto Mechanic on Aug. 16, 1990.

Tracy transferred to the Fleet Section in Olympia on July 15, 1991, as an Auto Mechanic. 

On Jan. 1, 1999, he transferred to the Fleet Section at the Academy Auto Shop in Shelton and then on May 1, 2003, Tracy transferred back to Olympia.

His position was reallocated again on Jan. 1, 2006, to an Equipment Technician 3. 

Tracy promoted on June 16, 2006, to an Automotive Mechanic Supervisor 2 with the Property Management Division. 

On April 1, 2007, his position was reallocated to the class of Equipment Technician 5 / Supervisor.

During his promotion, ceremony Tracy thanked all of the people in the agency that he has had the opportunity to work with, and work for, throughout his career with the Fleet Section. 

“I have had the opportunity to work with some great leaders that have all provided guidance and have lead by example, which has helped shape my work ethic and leadership style,” said Tracy.

He also thanked his wife and two daughters for their support and his father that has also lead by example throughout his everyday life.   

  

Promotion: Johnny R. Alexander

Johnny R. Alexander was promoted to Staff Captain effective Feb. 3, 2015, assigned to the Special Operations Division.

Johnny was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and graduated from Seneca Vocational High School in Buffalo. He honorably served in the United States Army over five years where he achieved the position of Platoon Sergeant.

Johnny began his employment with the Washington State Patrol on April 8, 1991, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to the Supply Section.

He graduated from the 73rd Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on Dec. 20, 1991, assigned to Tacoma Freeway.

As an FOB trooper, he served as a Field Training Officer for nine cadets, a Technical Collision Investigator and a guest academy instructor for collision investigation and EVOC.

Johnny was assigned as Trooper Detective with Internal Affairs on Aug. 28, 1997.

He transferred to the Executive Protection Unit on Nov. 2, 1998.

On Aug. 23, 1999, he transferred to Tacoma. 

Johnny was selected as the District 1 Public Information Trooper on Oct. 14, 2002. During this time, he also represented the agency as a morning traffic reporter on Komo 4 TV News.

He promoted to RCW Sergeant on Sept. 26, 2005, assigned to the Cadet Unit in the Human Resource Division.

On Sept. 16, 2010, he transferred to North Seattle.

On April 1, 2012, he transferred to Bellevue.

Johnny promoted to RCW Lieutenant on Feb. 1, 2013, assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Division.

He was assigned to the Motor Carrier Division on April 16, 2013.

He transferred to Bellevue on July 16, 2014.

“I would like to thank Chief John Batiste for being a consistent example of an extraordinary leader who sincerely cares for the Washington State Patrol and ALL of his employees,” said Johnny.  “Specific to my received mentorship and development while a lieutenant, I would like to extend my appreciation to Assistant Chiefs Shawn Berry and Mike DePalma, Retired Assistant Chief Chris Gundermann, and Captains Randy Drake and Roger Wilbur for their ‘Personal Expressed Interest’ in my success.”

“In addition, I would like to extend a very special thanks to Captains Jason Berry and Mike Dahl, who made it their personal mission to expose me to and coach me through many challenges which helped me prepare to serve this great agency as a Captain.” said Johnny. 

Their direct leadership as a boss and very close friends played a significant role in Johnny’s confidence to accept the challenge of promoting.      

Johnny also thanked his friends and family who traveled to attend his promotion ceremony, and specifically his wife, Monica Alexander, and step-son, Spencer.

Promotion: James R. Mjor II

James R. Mjor II was promoted to RCW Lieutenant effective June 1, 2015.

James was born in Great Lakes, Ill. and graduated from Central Kitsap High School in Silverdale, Wash.  He honorably served four years in the United States Navy and five years in the United States Naval Reserves.

James began his career with the Washington State Patrol on May 3, 1999, as a Trooper Cadet assigned to the Accident Records Section with the Criminal Records Division.

On Aug. 20, 1999, he transferred to Mansion Security in Olympia.

He attended the 85th Trooper Basic Training Class and was commissioned on Aug. 16, 2000, assigned to Bremerton.  

James was selected as the 2003 State Certified Collision Specialist.

He was selected as the 2005 District Eight Trooper of the Year.

On Feb. 1, 2005, he was appointed to the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT).

James was appointed to the staff position of Trooper Detective on Jan. 1, 2008, assigned to Tacoma. 

On Aug. 16, 2009, he was appointed to the Special Weapons and Tactics Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT).

He promoted to RCW Sergeant on July 16, 2010, assigned to Burlington.

James was appointed to a non-line position of Staff Detective Sergeant on Sept. 1, 2010, assigned to the West Sound Narcotics Task Force in Bremerton.

On July 16, 2013, he was assigned to the Special Weapons and Tactics Team (SWAT). 

Upon his promotion to RCW Lieutenant, James was assigned to Vancouver.  On June 16, 2015, he transferred to District 8 Bremerton. 

During his promotion ceremony, James thanked his incredible and supportive wife of 20 years, Lindsay, for her consistent support and steadfast dedication to his family.

Promotion: Gary D. Armstrong

Gary D. Armstrong was promoted to Equipment Technician Supervisor effective June 1, 2015.

Chief John R. Batiste promotes Gary D. Armstrong to

Equipment Technician Supervisor June 14, 2015, at the WSP

Headquarters.

Gary was born in Billings, Mont. and graduated from Yelm High School.

He began his career with the Washington State Patrol on Aug. 7, 2006, as an Auto Body Repair Technician with the Property Management Division.

On Jan. 1, 2013, he was promoted to an Equipment Technician 3.

Upon his promotion to Equipment Technician Supervisor, Gary remained with the Property Management Division. 

During his promotion ceremony, Gary thanked his wife Terri and everyone in the patrol for their patience and guidance throughout his career.