Garrett Weitzel of Butler and Victor Santoyo Jr. of Karns City were among 99 new troopers who recently graduated from the State Police Academy.

Two Butler County residents are among the 99 new troopers who recently graduated from the State Police Academy in Hershey.

The troopers were part of the Pennsylvania State Police Academy's 158th graduating cadet class. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the graduation ceremony was closed to the public.

The public, however, was able to view the event via a live stream on the Academy Facebook page.

“Friends and family were unfortunately unable to attend and celebrate in person,” said Col. Robert Evanchick, state police commissioner, “but we are grateful for their support as our newest troopers begin their public service careers in a period of extraordinary need.”

The new troopers include Victor Santoyo Jr. of Karns City and Garrett Weitzel of Butler. Both have been assigned to Troop D, Kittanning.Among the new troopers assigned to Troop D, Butler, are Michael Banachoski of Harwick, Allegheny County; Christopher Callaghan of Aliquippa, Beaver County; Clayton Lehmeier of Canonsburg, Washington County; Mohamed Miloua of Bethel Park, Allegheny County; and Noah Sims of Beaver Falls, Beaver County.Other new troopers assigned to Troop D, Kittanning, are Heinz Koster of Kittanning and William Ray of Ebensburg, Cambria County.