The South Carolina Highway Patrol graduated 36 troopers from Basic Training Thursday bringing to 771 the number of troopers on SC roads. The director of the SC Department of Public Safety, Leroy Smith, told the graduates they will help bring down the state's DUI and road fatality numbers.

Three graduates were recognized for leadership, marksmanship, and fitness training:

· Matthew Moser: Winner of the Colonel P.F. Thompson Outstanding Achievement Award: for the trooper who displays the character and dedication symbolic of former Highway Patrol Colonel P.F. Thompson, the longest serving Patrol commander. · Joseph Ragazzo: Captain Cecil Dilworth Marksmanship Award: presented to the trooper who had the best marksmanship during firearms training. · Gabriel M. Colbert: Winner of the Israel Brooks Jr. Physical Fitness Award: presented to the trooper who excelled on the physical training test and excelled each day during the early morning exercises.

-- From staff reports