BRISTOL – Eight out of 37 new state police recruit academy graduates are assigned to the Toll Road District.

Of those eight, four will patrol primarily in Lagrange and Steuben Counties.

Trooper George Youpel was raised in Chicago and graduated from Trine University majoring in criminal justice and psychology. He served three years with the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office prior to joining I-S-P.

Trooper Michael Bumbaugh graduated from Wawasee High School followed by four years in the Marines. He was with Syracuse Police for six years.

Trooper Zachary McKenzie hails from Dexter, Michigan and studied criminal justice at Ferris State University.

Trooper Brandon Johnston graduated from Warsaw High School and then joined the Army National Guard.

The four troopers will begin more than three months of field training with several experienced officers before being issued their own police cars and beginning solo patrols.