In a recent wave of promotions announced by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, several dedicated officers from southern Ohio have stepped into elevated roles, highlighting the region’s strong contributions to statewide public safety. Sergeant Spencer A. Large, Sergeant Christopher M. Newman, and Sergeant Austin S. Hall, all with ties to key southern Ohio posts in the Jackson District, embody the commitment to community protection that defines law enforcement in areas like Ross, Scioto, and Lawrence counties. These advancements come amid ongoing efforts to bolster patrol operations in south central Ohio, where troopers often handle everything from rural highway enforcement to emergency response in underserved communities.
Sergeant Spencer A. Large, long associated with the Chillicothe Post in Ross County, brings a wealth of experience rooted in southern Ohio’s Jackson District. His career has been marked by hands-on involvement in local initiatives, including stolen vehicle recoveries that earned him the 2022 Blue Max Award. In 2018, he was recognized as Trooper of the Year at the nearby Circleville Post, underscoring his excellence in patrol duties. Large has also been active in community outreach, engaging with schools like Zane Trace High School and Southeastern High School to promote safety education. As a newly promoted sergeant, his responsibilities now include supervisory oversight, such as assisting post commanders in daily operations, training junior troopers, and coordinating responses to incidents across south central Ohio’s highways. This role positions him to further enhance traffic safety and criminal interdiction in the region, where I-70 and U.S. Route 35 intersections demand vigilant enforcement.
Sergeant Christopher M. Newman, previously stationed at the Portsmouth Post in Scioto County, has been transferred to the Chillicothe Post as part of his promotion. This move keeps him firmly within southern Ohio’s District 9, allowing continuity in serving familiar communities. Newman’s background includes frontline trooper duties focused on crash investigations and drug interdiction, critical in an area grappling with opioid-related challenges. His new sergeant duties involve leadership in shift supervision, mentoring recruits, and supporting specialized units like crash reconstruction, which are vital for handling the high volume of rural accidents in south central Ohio. While specific awards for Newman are not publicly detailed in the promotion announcement, his selection for advancement reflects a track record of reliable service in high-stakes environments.
Sergeant Austin S. Hall, hailing from Wheelersburg and assigned to the Ironton Post in Lawrence County, represents another southern Ohio success story. Graduating from the OSHP Academy in 2017 and initially posted in the Jackson District, Hall was honored as the 2023 Trooper of the Year by his peers, making him eligible for district and state-level recognition. His work has emphasized proactive policing in southern Ohio’s riverfront communities, including traffic enforcement along U.S. Route 52 and community engagement to reduce impaired driving. In his elevated sergeant position, Hall will take on assistant post commander responsibilities, overseeing patrols, coordinating with local agencies, and leading training exercises tailored to the region’s unique terrain and traffic patterns. This promotion strengthens OSHP’s presence in Lawrence County, where troopers play a key role in interstate safety and emergency response.
These promotions not only celebrate individual achievements but also reinforce OSHP’s commitment to south central Ohio, where posts like Chillicothe, Portsmouth, and Ironton are essential for maintaining public safety amid growing demands. As these sergeants assume their new duties, they continue to build on legacies of service that protect families across Ross, Scioto, Lawrence, and neighboring counties.
The full list of newly promoted members includes:
• Program Administrator 3 Lindsay M. Pinkerman
• Sergeant Jacob G. Peffer
• Sergeant Spencer A. Large
• Sergeant Austin S. Hall
• Training Development Analyst Ian M. Miller
• Electronic Technician Manager Christopher L. Stroop
• Sergeant James T. Coffland
• Sergeant Codi R. Williams
• Sergeant Christopher M. Newman
• Sergeant Kyle A. Ratliff
• Sergeant Kyle J. Baxter
• Lieutenant M. Shannon Utter
• Staff Lieutenant Christopher L. Ellison
• Captain Todd J. Roberts
• Staff Lieutenant Kaitlyn M. Kowicki
• Sergeant Nickolas B. Goodnite
For more details on these promotions and OSHP activities in southern Ohio, visit the official Ohio State Highway Patrol website or follow their updates on social media.
