Athens Post Names Trooper Todd Wallingford Its 2026 Trooper of the Year

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ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Todd J. Wallingford has been named the Athens Post’s 2026 Trooper of the Year, the Patrol announced.

Wallingford, 30, was selected by his peers at the post, who pointed to his enthusiastic work attitude, leadership abilities, community engagement and professionalism with supervisors, peers and the public.

A graduate of Vinton County High School, Wallingford joined the Patrol in 2022 as a member of the 171st Academy Class and has served at the Athens Post since graduating. He now lives in Athens County.

Wallingford has been a leader in OVI enforcement at the Athens Post since 2024, and in 2025 he received a MADD award for his OVI enforcement work.

With the post honor, Wallingford is now in the running for the District and State Trooper of the Year awards, which the Patrol will announce at a later date.

The Athens Post also honored Dispatcher Suzanne Dicken, who received the Patrol’s 2026 Telecommunications Award at the Athens Dispatch Center. Dicken joined the Patrol in 1984 and has served at the Athens and Jackson dispatch centers. An Athens native and Athens High School graduate, she was chosen by sworn officers and dispatchers for her technical job knowledge, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork and prompt, courteous response to the public. She is now in the running for the District and State Dispatcher of the Year awards.

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