Bethany Lamphere and Meagan Hartmann, a mother-daughter duo, have made history this week. On October 13, Hartmann graduated from the State Police Academy and her proud mother, Lamphere, was present at the ceremony in Albany.
Lamphere was not like the other mothers at the event – she is a veteran state trooper, who presented Hartmann with her shield. The pair posed together for several pictures to mark the historical moment – Lamphere and Hartmann are the first mother-daughter duo to serve in the New York State Police at the same time.
The veteran and the rookie did not wish to speak to the media. However, they did release a brief statement via the spokesperson of the State Police Academy. The statement read:
“Lamphere and Hartmann both feel it is an honor to be able to be part of the great history and future of protecting and serving the people of this state for such an elite agency.”
Lamphere and Hartmann will not be working together – they will be at stations that are 60 miles apart in central New York, according to the spokesperson. State police officials explained:
“The state police, founded in 1917, accepted its first women recruits in 1973, and four graduated from the academy the following year. More than 400 women are currently serving in the 5,000-member law enforcement agency.”
Hartmann said she and her siblings grew up listening to the exciting experiences that their mother had as a trooper. At the age 27, Lamphere, who was a mother of three young children, graduated from the police academy.
She became a trooper in 2001 and served two years as an investigator. Lamphere “has spent most of her career on road patrol in areas of central and northern New York.”
Most online commenters have applauded the duo for their service and love of country. However few critics did make sexist remarks.
