State Patrol announces local promotions

Submitted information

Sergeant Jonathon Gray was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and Trooper Michael Mahaffey was promoted to the rank of sergeant on November 19 and were recognized by Colonel Paul A. Pride, Patrol superintendent, during a ceremony on Wednesday at the Patrol’s Training Academy.

Lieutenant Gray will remain at the Van Wert Post to serve as post commander, while Sergeant Mahaffey will transfer from his current assignment at the Lima Post to serve as an assistant post commander at the Van Wert Post.

Lieutenant Gray began his Patrol career in March 1994 as a cadet dispatcher assigned to the Van Wert Post. He began his training as a member of the 128th Academy Class in February 1997. He earned his commission in July of that year and was assigned to the Van Wert Post. In 2002, he was selected as Post and District Trooper of the Year. In 2003, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and transferred to the Bucyrus Post to serve as an assistant post commander. As a sergeant, he also served in the Public Affairs Unit, and at the Lima and Van Wert posts.

Lieutenant Gray earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Indiana Institute of Technology in 2015.

Sergeant Mahaffey began his Patrol career in May 2007 as a member of the 148th Academy Class. He earned his commission in May of the following year and was assigned to the Dayton Post. In 2016, he was selected as Lima Post Trooper of the Year, earned the Ace Award for excellence in auto larceny enforcement and the Criminal Patrol Award. As a trooper, he also served at the Wapakoneta and Lima posts, as well as the Piqua District Criminal Patrol Unit.

Sergeant Mahaffey served in the United States Army from 1991 to 1992. He earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in criminal justice from Lima Technical College in 1995.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is an internationally accredited agency whose mission is to protect life and property, promote traffic safety and provide professional public safety services with respect, compassion, and unbiased professionalism.