Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper David Stuart has been selected the 2009 Trooper of the Year at the Portsmouth Post.

Portsmouth Post Commander Lt. Mike Crispen said the selection of Stuart is in recognition of outstanding service during 2009 at the Portsmouth Post. Crispen said Post supervisors and troopers stationed at the Portsmouth Post chose Stuart based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude and cooperation with supervisors, peers and the public.

“To me it’s a bigger award if you are selected by your peers than when you are selected by management on the district level and state level,” Crispen said. “Those are also very rewarding. But I think when your peers think enough of you to say that you are the person they want to represent them, that shows the leadership of that person.”

Crispen said Stuart has done a lot of work in the community, working for Red Cross before coming to the OSHP.

Stuart graduated with the 145th Patrol Academy class and began his career with the OSHP in 2006 at the Portsmouth Post. Stuart is originally from New Baltimore, Mich. and a graduate from Anchor Bay High School and Shawnee State University.

Stuart and his wife Andrea live in Lucasville with their children Bryce, Brock and Colton.

Crispen said Stuart is very deserving of the honor.

“He’s a good asset for us. That’s for sure,” Crispen said.

FRANK LEWIS may be reached at (740) 353-3101, ext. 232.