The Arkansas State Police Foundation recognized Troopers, Special Agents, officers, and civilian staff during the annual Arkansas State Police Awards Ceremony held May 12, 2026, at the Benton Event Center.
Trooper Ethan Hiland, Trooper First Class Brady Nuckels, and Trooper First Class Jacob Price jointly received the Arkansas State Police Trooper of the Year Award for 2025 following their actions during a June 2025 confrontation involving wanted suspect Felipe Millan-Gomez near Carlisle. ASP Director Mike Hagar praised the Troopers for their courage and heroism.
Retired Sergeant Major Tom Smith of Dardanelle served as keynote speaker during the ceremony.
Employee of the Year honors were presented to Internet Crimes Against Children Intelligence Analyst Lenore Paladino.
Trooper’s Cross Awards were presented to Trooper Jackson Daniell, Special Agent David Fielding, Trooper Nash Thomas, Trooper First Class Tyler Van Schoyck, Corporal Eric Wold, and Corporal Paul Meeks.
Distinguished Meritorious Service Awards were presented to Special Agent David Moss and Corporal Dustin Thompson.
Medal of Valor recipients included Sergeant Dustin Arnold, Sergeant Andrew Ault, Sergeant Dakotah Bailey, Trooper First Class Justin Cherry, Trooper John Crow, Corporal Kendrick Davis, Trooper First Class Trevor Dew, Sergeant Jackson Dorman, Trooper Ethan Hiland, Trooper First Class Tyler Langley, Trooper First Class Brady Nuckels, Trooper First Class Jacob Price, Trooper First Class Mason Redding, Corporal Dylan Robbins, Corporal Paul Meeks, and Trooper First Class Justin Parker.
Lifesaving Awards were presented to Trooper Hunter Glover, Trooper First Class Isaac Lawson, Trooper Steven Plyler, and Trooper First Class Quinton Maag.
Official Commendations were presented to Trooper First Class Jacob Byrd, Trooper First Class Ethan Carlton, Corporal Britt Clements, Chief Radio Operator Jessica Dietz, Investigator Haley Eby, Special Agent Mark Fallis, Special Agent David Harrell, Telecom Specialist Philip Housdan, Special Agent Kevin Hrabal, Corporal Ben Ibarra, Trooper Nathan Jynes, Telecom Specialist Harlie Loftis, Telecom Specialist Hannah Marshall, Sergeant Tyler Nelson, Trooper Justin Parrish, Telecom Operator Jada Price, Special Agent Paul Robson, Corporal Christopher Short, Trooper Jackson Shumate, Telecom Supervisor Philicity Sivley, and Trooper Connor Vrooman.
Distinguished Service Awards were presented to Griffin Glynn, Micah Hoffman, Federico Revuelta, Kaitlin Rickard, Jeremiah Thompson, and Officer Kyle Naish of the Springdale Police Department.
Special citations from the Arkansas Secretary of State tied to the 2025 double homicide investigation at Devil’s Den State Park were awarded to Lieutenant Eric Lee, Lieutenant Phillip Pierce, Special Agent Thurmond Lunsford, Special Agent Skyler McElroy, Special Agent Dale Bailey, Special Agent Dwight Roam, Special Agent Gregg Bray, Special Agent Jaran McCormick, Sergeant Sor Lee, Special Agent Allen Hamilton, Special Agent Jed Bolyard, and Springdale Police Sergeant Kyle Naish.
FBI SOS Award recipients included Agent Blake Downing, Agent Matthew Caravella, Agent Rachael Peatross, Agent Brittney Murphy, and Agent Jared Simpson.
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