Highway patrol recognizes Xenia native as local Trooper of Year

XENIA — A Xenia native and Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was recognized for outstanding service this year by being named the Xenia post’s Trooper of the Year.

With the award, Trooper Paul B. Coates, 39, is now in contention for both the District and State Trooper of the Year Awards. Those awards will be announced at a later date, according to a release.

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Fellow officers stationed at the post chose Coates based on his leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude and cooperation with supervisors, peers and the public, according to the release.

Coates joined the patrol in September 2011 and has served in Xenia since then.

He is also a Xenia High School and Sinclair Community College graduate.