Dispatcher of the Year award announced
Lt. Matthew Himes is new Marysville Post commander
Two local residents who serve as Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers have earned accolades through the patrol this month, each being named the 2024 Trooper of the Year for their respective posts.
Trooper Tyler W. Easter has been selected as the 2024 Trooper of the Year at the Marysville Post, and Trooper Coleton J. Piatt has been selected 2024 Trooper of the Year for the Springfield Post.
A Bellefontaine native and graduate of Benjamin Logan High School, Trooper Easter joined the Highway Patrol in 2012 and has served at the Marysville Post throughout his career. It is his second time being named a Trooper of the Year, also receiving the award in 2017.
A native of West Liberty and graduate of West Liberty-Salem High School, Trooper Piatt joined the Highway Patrol in 2023 and has served at the Springfield Post throughout his career. He is a former Logan County Sheriff’s Office deputy and K9 handler, where he worked for nearly 10 years, and is a former officer for the Mechanicsburg Police Department.
Marysville Post Commander Lt. Matthew D. Himes said the selection of Trooper Easter, 32, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2024. Fellow officers stationed at the Marysville Post chose Trooper Easter based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers and the public.
Trooper Easter attended Rhodes State Community College, earning an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. In addition, he has earned the patrol’s health and physical fitness award, 10-year safe driving award and named Master Trooper by the Highway Patrol.
Trooper Easter and his wife, Kylie, live in West Liberty.
Springfield Post Commander Lt. Shawn Cook said the selection of Trooper Piatt is in recognition of his outstanding service during 2024. Fellow officers stationed at the Springfield Post chose Trooper Piatt based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers and the public.
Trooper Piatt attends Eastern Gateway Community College, where he is studying criminal justice.
Both Trooper Piatt and Trooper Easter are now in contention for the District and State Trooper of the Year Award to be announced at a later date.
In addition, the Springfield Dispatch Center is to present Dispatcher Chelsea L. Sederstrand as the representative for the Springfield Post Dispatcher of the Year and the Piqua District Dispatcher of the Year for 2024.
“I am so proud to have Chelsea represent our Dispatch Center, which includes Clark, Champaign, Union, and Logan counties. She embodies what it means to be a public servant, and is an asset to both the public and the Division,” said Dispatcher Supervisor Jason M. Hack.
Dispatcher Sederstrand began her career with the Division in 2017 and has been assigned at the Springfield Dispatch Center. This award is decided through voting by her peers, co-workers, and supervisors at both the Springfield and Marysville Posts.
Her common sense, customer service, steadfast resolve and sensibilities made her an obvious choice for both acknowledgements.
Since she began with the Division, Chelsea has consistently exhibited an excellent work ethic and attitude. Chelsea is always willing to go the extra mile to assist the public, a co-worker, a trooper, or a supervisor. She shows a sense of urgency when needed, but still remains calm in tense situations.