On Friday, the Virginia State Police will graduate 42 new Troopers at its Academy in Chesterfield County.

The 115th Basic Session began its rigorous 36-week training session April 27. Since then, the new troopers have received instruction in more than 90 different subjects spanning hundreds of hours.

Academy training includes such areas as crime scene investigation, survival Spanish, judicial procedures, self defense, cultural diversity and firearms.

The graduates’ final phase of training begins January 11, when the new troopers report to their respective duty assignments. Each trooper will spend a minimum of six weeks with a field training officer learning his or her new patrol area and day-to-day duties.

For 24-year-old Trooper Brad W. Coleman, pursuing a career in law enforcement with the Virginia State Police was “an opportunity to serve this great state.” The Rockingham County native begins his first patrol duty serving Prince William County.

Harrisonburg resident 27-year-old Trooper H. Lee Stover II is assigned to Arlington County and Fairfax County.

Finding a career with “a quality organization” was the reason Trooper Kenneth R. Howard decided to join the Virginia State Police. The 48 year-old is from Rockingham County and wanted to “serve my community.” Trooper Howard reports for duty in Culpeper County.