GSP Hartwell Post Hires Two New Troopers

The Georgia State Patrol Hartwell Post has two new troopers.

Post 52 Commander Sgt. Al Whitworth says his Post has recently lost several troopers due to promotions and transfers.

“We did lose O’Neal Sadler, who was a trooper here. We’re happy for him because he was promoted to assistant commander in the Athens Post,” Whitworth said. “And two other troopers, trooper Smith and trooper Johnson have transferred to Athens to be closer to their homes.”

Whitworth said the two new troopers recently graduated from trooper school and are local.

“They graduated from the 97th Trooper School several weeks ago,” Whitworth said. “They’re local guys. Trooper Matthew Bradley is from Franklin County and grew up there and Trooper Larry Ray is from Hartwell and grew up in Hartwell. It’s nice to get local guys who know the area. Both of them have military backgrounds and we think they will be great assets to the Post.”

Post 52 normally has a full staff of 14 troopers.

Whitworth said they expect to get a third new trooper when the next trooper school graduates later this year.