The Meridian Exchange Club recently awarded Ryan Evans as Trooper of the Year for Troop H.
In the district Troop H is in, the troopers nominate individuals to be considered for the award, so he was nominated by his fellow troopers. When receiving the award, he learned one of the reasons he was nominated.
“They basically nominated me because I pursued someone on foot while we were out shooting a scene one day back in December,” explained Evans. “It was in Lauderdale County, and we were shooting a scene with GPS equipment when someone ran up to us and said their house was being burglarized and gave us a description of the guy. I saw him running down to the dam there at Lake Tom Bailey and pursued him through several yards and ran him down the levy and back out on 1180 and was actually able to take him into custody. We held him for Lauderdale County and turned him over to them when they got there because the Highway Patrol doesn’t do anything residential. It just happened to be one of those situations where we were in the right place at the right time and had a call for help, so my partner and I took action to help get that person into custody.”
He felt honored and blessed to receive the award, knowing that his fellow troopers nominated him.
“It’s an honor just to be nominated,” proclaimed Evans. “To have a good relationship with your coworkers and for them to see the work that you’re doing makes a difference.”
He has only been with the Highway Patrol for a few years and loves his job and the people he works with each day.
“I’m going into my fourth year now with the Highway Patrol,” expressed Evans. “I just love my job working with the crash team for the Highway Patrol. I started with the patrol in August of 2022 when I graduated from patrol school. I’ve been working on the crash team as a certified reconstructionist since October of 2024. I’ve just enjoyed my career and love my role in the Highway Patrol. I love working law enforcement in general.”
Congratulations on being named Trooper of the Year for Troop H!
