STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — Darren Johnson has been named 2016 Trooper of the Year at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Steubenville Post.

Johnson, 33, graduated from the patrol academy in 2010 and was assigned to the Canfield Post for a year before coming to the Steubenville Post. Johnson was also named Trooper of the Year at the Steubenville Post in 2013.

Fellow officers at the post choose the Trooper of the Year based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude and cooperation with supervisors, peers and the public.

Johnson is now in contention for the District and State Trooper of the Year awards to be announced at a later date.

Johnson holds a bachelor of science degree from West Liberty University. Johnson was a deputy with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department before being hired as a patrol with the Steubenville Police Department. He was laid off during a budget crunch in the city at which time he went to the patrol academy.

“It is very humbling to be thought of so highly by my peers,” Johnson said, “but I’m surrounded by great co-workers and supervisors who make my job easier. I’m familiar with the area and the surrounding law enforcement which also makes my job much easier.”

Johnson resides in Hopedale, OH with his wife Casie and son Evan.