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Butch & Brenda Collins made an early morning trip to the Lima Retirees breakfast, providing updates on STO accomplishments and other matters impacting the Patrol. From the left: Butch & Brenda Collins, Russ & Judy Bennett, Kelli Jackson, Ottawa PD Retiree Rodney Sutter, and Jim & Debra Smelser. We will be at the Wooster Breakfast on Tuesday, the East Side Pickerington Breakfast on Thursday and the Mansfield Breakfast on Saturday (2/10). Thanks to these retirees and the many others supporting our efforts: State Troopers of Ohio Inc.
STO Board Members Rob Hartsell with Butch & Brenda Collins visited our District 3 Patrons at the Green Leaf Restaurant in Wooster on Tuesday, February 6th.  From the left seated: Ed Bowman, Joe Arthur, Judy Smith, Larry Davis, Bill Healy, Butch Collins.  Standing: Brenda Collins, Jim Chapman, Larry Meredith, Jim Roth, Ray Smith, J.P. Allen, Harv Callahan, Jim Debevec, Rob Hartsell, Lee Dehoff, and Dale Larue. Left before the photo: Matt Witmer and Eric Sheppard.  Thanks to these retirees and the many others supporting our efforts: State Troopers of Ohio Inc.
STO Board Members Rob Hartsell, Butch Collins, and Paul Pride visited our "East Side" Patrons at the Scramblers Restaurant in Pickerington on Thursday, February 8th.  From the left: Art Wilson, Don Goodman, Jeff May, Roger Landis, Bob Myers, and Rob Hartsell.  Seated in front:Butch Collins and Paul Pride. 

Thanks to these retirees and the many others supporting our efforts: State Troopers of Ohio Inc.
STO Board Memebers Butch & Brenda Collins made the trip to the Wildcat Cafe in Vanlue for the monthly Findlay Retiree's Breakfast.  Joining us on February 15th: Tim Stockman, Bob Foust, Brian Cupp, Larry Hetrick, Will Sturgill, Ken Walerius, and Tom Romaker.  We will be providing a schedule for our visits in March.  Thanks to all of our retired and active Patrons who are supporting the State Troopers of Ohio Inc. 
We had a great visit with a our District 5 Retirees at the Lincoln Square V Restaurant in Troy, discussing the many issues facing our active and retired ranks. Thanks to our District 5 Friends Chuck Wright, Dan Dickerson, Bob Syckes, Jerry Miller, Kyle Albright, Bruce Ruese, John Procuniar, and active Communication Manager Dane Mowen for hosting us.  We hope to see many more of our members at the Retirees Cookout on June 21st! 
Retirees' Association First VP Dale LaRue dropped in at the Wayside Family Restaurant for the Warren Retirees Breakfast on July 28th. Dale shared this photo of most of the attendees. 
Thanks for sharing Dale!
Enjoyed the morning (August 8th) checking in on the Bucyrus Coffee Club at the Pelican Coffee House in beautiful downtown Bucyrus! A nice discussion on the topics of the day. From the left; Butch and Brenda Collins with Retirees Rich Logsdon, Steve Stierhoff, Mark Sigler, Jim Bryan and Bucyrus Post Commander, Lieutenant Ty Skaggs. The 'BCC' meets on the second Thursday of the month, 8:00 AM. 
A few of the many instructors and friends celebrating the career of retired Captain Robert "Bob" Welsh at the classroom dedication ceremony on Friday, August 9th.  Captain Welsh is acknowledged as the originator of the Division’s Officer Safety Program because of his unwavering dedication to the training of law enforcement officers in personal safety and self-defense.  Joining Captain Welsh in this photo, former Academy Instructors Toby Smith, PeytonWatts, Bob Welsh, Rob Hartsell, Bill Healy, and Brenda Collins.
​At the 2024 Sunbird Reunion - Annual Dinner we were blessed to have 11 graduates of the Hartman Farm join us for our day of fellowship.  From the left, including academy class number - Jack Holland #64, Bob Carson #47, Delmer Dunlap #58, Bill Snyder #66, Ernie Wigglesworth #42, Tom Rice #55, Delmer Everett #52, Ray Smith #59, Ed Suffecool #59, Jim 'Skip' Spurrier #60, and Tom Romaker #60.
Thank You Dale LaRue for sharing this photo of the Lisbon Post get-together at Pondi's Restaurant on November 20th. 

L-R. Dick Klaes, Trooper. Larry Jenkins, Trooper Harvy Callahan, Captain Don Kubis, Trooper Gary Dolak, Sergeant Mike Smith, PUCO Dave Leffel, dispatcher and MVI Dale LaRue, Sergeant WCT(Chris) Butts, Lieutenant Bob Cooper, Trooper and Union Staff Rep
With Chillicothe Post Commander Aaron Morgan: (left-back to front) Jeff May, Bob Brooks, Fred Summers, Harold Cooper, Brady Turner (right-back to front) Hal Hardiesty, Lt. Morgan, Ed Waltz, Tom Scott. 
Thanks to all who attended the monthly Wooster Breakfast on August 5th, including Wooster Post Commander Christian Perrin, AP 1 Susan Ballow, and (soon-to-be-retired) Master Trooper Cary Wenger. Retirement System updates were provided by OSHPRS Board Members Darryl Anderson and J.P. Allen, along with legislative updates by State Troopers of Ohio Inc. (STO) Board Members Butch and Brenda Collins. A great day at the Green Leaf!
(See more photos on our Facebook Page)
Thanks to our New Philadelphia Retirees for inviting us to their monthly breakfast at Buehlers in New Philly!  Retired Sergeant Charlie Demuth was kind enough to wear his "vintage" 1990's Highway Patrol recruitment tee shirt featuring 116th Academy Class classmates George Williams and Brenda Collins, along with former Trooper Louis Velez!  Thanks Charlie!  A great discussion about our STO lobbying efforts, COLAS, and other concerns facing the OSHP! 
(See more photos on our Facebook Page)
Thanks to Retirees' Association Board members Dale LaRue and Ginny Fogt for sharing these photos of recent retiree gatherings in Lisbon (left) and Wilmot (right) in September 2025
Enjoying a great morning of fellowship at the East Side Retirees Breakfast in Pickerington on October 9th. These retirees get together the 2nd Thursday of the month!  Contact Art Wilson do get on the email list!

Feb. 14th, 2026 - All the regulars at the monthly  Mansfield Retirees breakfast on Valentines Day!  Thanks to Bucyrus District Staff Lieutenants Lance Shearer and Brad Bishop for joining us and extending an invitation to the Bucyrus District Awards Banquet next month!
​The Ohio State Highway Patrol Retirees' Association will receive several emails or calls every year, through our website or the Trooper-to-Trooper Facebook page, requesting help from members or friends, trying to resolve some type of issue: a question about benefits; trying to find a former trooper or friend; letting us know about the illness or passing of a former OSP employee that we may not be aware of.  

We were recently contacted by Shelley Liddle, daughter of the late Lieutenant Walt Liddle (EOW 3-28-2013), on behalf of her mother, Carol Liddle. Carol had dropped and broken Walt's favorite coffee mug, which she had been using every morning since his passing. She was devastated. Shelley reached out to us regarding a possible replacement and was kind enough to prepare and share the story about the events that followed. Thank you Shelley! Your dad was a great friend, who managed the Delaware Retiree get-togethers for years and was part of our original editorial board for TroopertoTrooper.com. Her story, in her words... (click open PDF below)




A_Mug_A_Memory_and_the_Meaning_of_Family.pdf
Wooster Retiree's Breakfast at the Green Leaf
March 2nd, 2026

Did you know there are 17 different "Retirees Gatherings" throughout the State every month! The list has been verified and updated for 2025 on the OHPRS website.  Click to the Retirees Events Page. 
90th Anniversary History Video
State of the Patrol
Address
March 27, 2026
Who's getting promoted?  Click open the PDF below to see the most recent promotions announced by Colonel Charles Jones, effective June 28th, 2026.

The formal promotion ceremony is 
scheduled for July 23rd at 11:00 AM  



Congratulations to all of our newest promotees! 

Promotion_Announcement_June_18_2026.pdf
Sergeant Andrew Geer (center),  currently assigned to the Mt. Gilead Patrol Post, will be the new post commander at the Marion Patrol Post.  Seen here at the District 4 Retirees Golf Outing with brother Matt and OSP retirees Butch and Brenda Collins.  Congratulations to Andy and all of our new promotees! 
Marion Star / Volunteers recognize veterans' during Honor Flights, thanking them for their service
WCMH 4 / Cold case of missing Union County women marks 25 years, last seen in Marysville
Fox 8 Tampa / Semi truck trailer loses oversize load, crushes SUV on I-75 in Florida
Tampa Bay Times / Speeding driver in Florida sentenced after killing 3 children passing stopped school bus
Your Ohio News / Ohio State Highway Patrol seeks your vote in 'Best Looking Cruiser' contest
CNN / Governor DeWine says its "not in our own self interest" to deport Hatians
FROM THE MOST RECENT HPRS NEWSLETTER - Each year, the board must decide whether to grant a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for the upcoming year, to those members that qualify and, if so, at what amount. This decision is based on several factors, including the latest actuarial valuation report, input from an actuarial consultant, and a comprehensive funding policy. For 2027, the board approved 2.68% COLA. 

The Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) allowance was analyzed closely for the ability to increase it for 2027. The board took into consideration the rising costs of health care, as well as the solvency period of the Health Care Fund based on the most recent valuation. The decision was made to increase the HRA allowance for both the Pre-Medicare HRA and the Medicare HRA. For Medicare-eligible retirees enrolled in coverage through Via Benefits, the Medicare HRA will increase from $225 to $255 (13.33%) per month. The Pre-Medicare HRA allowance will be increased by 12.5%. By increasing the base from $800 to $900 (12.5%), everyone receiving a Pre-Medicare HRA allowance will experience a 12.5% increase. The updated chart will be posted to our website soon.
2027 COLA and Health Care Reimbursement Announced by HPRS
WCMH 4 / Have you seen him?  U.S. Marshals step up search for inmate who escaped from Orient in 1987
WSYX 6 / Columbus Police burn through overtime protecting mayor, chief, and city council members
USA  Today / Acton leads Ramaswamy in new Ohio Governor poll, within margin of error
Cleveland 19 / Alcohol suspected in crash that left 18-year-old dead in Tuscawarus County
Cleveland 19 / Mansfield police chief defends officer who punched 68-year-old man during traffic stop
KOMO / Driver who struck, killed Washington State Trooper will not face criminal charges 
ACP / Ohio State Highway Patrol to hold testing event and conditioning camp in Crestline
WHIO 7 / Drivers may see extra police, troopers on I-70 and US 35 today
WTOV 9 / Lt. Robert Bodo urges driver to stay sobor and drive safely over 4th of July weekend
WTOL 11 / Deadly crashes increasing over 2025 numbers heading into the holiday weekend
Spectrum News / OSHP ask drivers to celebrate the 4th of July responsibly
WTVG 19 / Toledo police lieutenant pleads guilty to OVI injury crash