Two Ohio State Highway Patrol Officers Promoted at Wooster Post; One Began Career at Ashland Post
COLUMBUS — Two Ohio State Highway Patrol officers with ties to north central Ohio have been promoted and will serve in leadership roles at the Wooster Post.
Sergeant James A. Walton, formerly of the Akron Post, was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on April 5 and was recognized during a ceremony at the Patrol’s Training Academy by Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. Walton has transferred from the Akron Post to serve as commander of the Wooster Post.
Lieutenant Walton began his Patrol career in April 2012 as a member of the 152nd Academy Class. He earned his commission in August 2012 and was assigned to the Wooster Post.
During his time as a trooper, Walton received the Criminal Patrol Award in 2018 and earned the Ace Award for excellence in auto larceny enforcement three times. He was also named Post Trooper of the Year in 2018.
Walton was promoted to sergeant in 2021 and transferred to the Akron Post, where he served as assistant post commander. As a sergeant, he continued to receive recognition, earning both the Criminal Patrol Award and the Ace Award for excellence in auto larceny enforcement three times each.
In 2017, Walton earned an associate degree in business administration from Strayer University. He also served in the United States Navy from 2007 to 2012.
Also recognized was Trooper Elliot D. Rawson, formerly assigned to Cleveland Crash Reconstruction. Rawson was promoted to the rank of sergeant on May 17 and will serve as assistant post commander at the Wooster Post.
Sergeant Rawson began his Patrol career in September 2012 as a member of the 153rd Academy Class. He earned his commission in February 2013 and was first assigned to the Ashland Post, giving him a direct connection to Ashland County and the surrounding area.
During his time with the Patrol, Rawson also served at the Wooster Post before later being assigned to Cleveland Crash Reconstruction. He was named Post Trooper of the Year twice and earned the master trooper designation in 2024.
Rawson earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Ashland University in 2012, further strengthening his local ties to Ashland.
The promotions place both Walton and Rawson in key leadership roles at the Wooster Post, which serves Wayne County and works closely with nearby posts, including Ashland, on traffic safety, crash investigations and public safety efforts throughout the region.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol said it remains committed to its mission of providing unbiased, professional public safety services through inclusion, collaboration and innovation.
