2 from Tri-Cities join ranks of Washington State Patrol

The Washington State Patrol swore in 37 new officers this week, including two from the Tri-Cities and one from Yakima.

▪  Virgil R. E. Withers, of Kennewick, will be stationed in Marysville.

▪  Eric M. Wittlake, of Pasco, will be stationed in Goldendale.

▪  Joseph D. Campbell, of Yakima, will be stationed in Grandview.

The ceremonies took place in the Capitol rotunda in Olympia. Barbara A. Madsen, chief justice of the Washington State Supreme Court, and John R. Batiste, chief of the state patrol, honored the new officers.

Each trooper who attends the state patrol academy completes more than 1,000 hours of training through three cadet classes spanning two years, according to a news release. Only 4 to 6 percent of applicants become troopers.

This story was originally published August 4, 2016 at 5:27 PM with the headline "2 from Tri-Cities join ranks of Washington State Patrol."