WAPAKONETA — Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Joseph M. Nartker, of Anna, has been selected as the 2017 Trooper of the Year at the Wapakoneta Highway Patrol Post.

The selection of Nartker is in recognition of outstanding service during 2017 at the Wapakoneta Post. Fellow officers stationed at the Wapakoneta Post chose Nartker based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.

With this post-level award, Nartker went on to compete in the Piqua District Trooper of the Year Award.

Nartker joined the Highway Patrol in 2012 and has served at the Wapakoneta Post. Originally from Beavercreek and a 1998 graduate of Beavercreek High School, Nartker served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from City Colleges of Chicago while stationed at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Nartker also served as a probation officer for the city of Sidney prior to joining the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He has earned the Ace Award for recovering stolen vehicles, along with awards for physical fitness and safe driving.