Huntington North High School graduate James R. Stevens is one of three new troopers assigned to the Indiana State Police post in Fort Wayne after graduating from the Indiana State Police Recruit Academy on Dec. 21.

Stevens, 26, reported to the Fort Wayne post on Jan. 2 along with fellow probationary troopers Caleb R. Hatfield, 23, of New Castle, and Joshua L. Thrasher, 26, of Fort Wayne.

Stevens earned a Bachelor of Science in public affairs from Indiana-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, in 2008. He worked as a reserve and transport deputy with the Whitley County Sheriff's Department before being accepted to the 72nd Indiana State Police Recruit Academy.

Stevens will be assigned to patrol duties in LaGrange and Steuben counties.

The new troopers are paired with experienced troopers for 12 weeks of field training, after which they will be issued their own police cars and begin solo patrol responsibilities.

Stevens and his wife Rebecca live in Columbia City.