Colonel Jim Cockrell, Session #195 has retired from the Alaska State Troopers to accept a position as Security Supervisor with Tesoro at the Kenai, Alaska refinery. Jim started his career with the Alaska State Troopers in 1983 and retired as a Major in 2004. He worked an additional three years under a federal grant and retired again in 2007. He spent six years in private security before his appointment as Colonel of the Alaska State Troopers in June 2013 and retired again in May 2017.
The City of Ketchikan has a new Police Chief as of May 2017. Lt Joe White, Session #254 had served the city as the Acting Chief of Police since January when Chief Alan Bengaard, Session #206 retired. Joe attended the Alaska Law Enforcement Training Academy in 1995 and started his career with the Ketchikan Police Department in 1996. Joe is married to Natalie, and they have five children.
Colonel Steve Bear, Session #219 has retired from the Alaska State Troopers. Steve started his career in 1990 and rose through the ranks serving in the Alaska Wildlife Troopers side of the agency. Steve and his wife Renee have five children. They will be moving to Washington State as Steve has been appointed the Chief of Law Enforcement with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Juneau Police Department’s Deputy Chief Edwin Mercer, graduate of Session #259 took over the reins as the new Chief of Police at the end of July. He is a born and raised Alaskan from Sitka and started his law enforcement career in 1992 as a reserve officer for the Sitka Police Department until 1993 when he was offered a full time police officer position. In 2000, Ed was hired by the Juneau Police Department. For the next 17 years, he worked his way through the ranks as a Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, and Deputy Chief.
Alaska State Trooper Captain Tony April is a graduate of Session #226 and he is a member of the Alaska Chapter. Tony was recently elected National Parliamentarian for the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE). Tony was also nominated, selected, and elevated to Illustrious Grand Inspector General aka 33rd and Last Degree of the Masons. Only 3% of Masons are nominated worldwide.
Tony and his comrades in the Masons did their civic duty by helping with Clean-up Day in Anchorage, specifically on their designated “Adopt A Road” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Tony is in the blue shirt on the right.
Alaska State Trooper Captain Barry Wilson, graduate of Session #244 and current Southcentral Vice President of the Alaska Chapter was selected to represent Alaska law enforcement at the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics, World Winter Games in Austria in March.
Captain Barry Wilson helped carry the flame of hope on the Final Leg of the Torch Run to the Opening Games of the World Winter Games for Special Olympics in Austria. He along with 133 other law enforcement officers, many of whom were FBINA graduates, traveled across 2929 miles of Austria through 47 cities to the opening ceremonies. This effort not only showed the LEO commitment, but also the international outreach of FBINA and it graduates in supporting Special Olympics and positive initiatives for law enforcement.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run starting in Fairbanks. Organizer Alaska State Trooper Captain Barry Wilson is pictured second from the right. Fourteen communities across the State of Alaska all ran simultaneously in an effort to raise money and awareness for Special Olympics.
Barry is providing much encouragement for the youth participating.
The Law Enforcement Torch Run in Ketchikan, Alaska. Our members, Chief of Police Joseph White (leaning on the trunk of the car) and Deputy Chief Josh Dossett (somewhere in the upper right) of the Ketchikan Police Department participated. Joe is a graduate of Session #254 and Josh is a graduate of Session #238. Josh serves on the Training Committee.
Alaska State Trooper Chad Goeden, Commander of the State Trooper Training Academy, graduate of the Session #266 and current Southeast Vice President of the Alaska Chapter got his entire academy class involved in the Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics. Chad is pictured on the far right.
Anchorage Police Department Chief Justin Doll, Session #260 on the right runs to the finish line along with Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz.