Trooper Michael Moerch Named Springfield Post's Trooper of Year
Ohio State Highway Patrol also honored Dispatcher Tyler J. Green with the Springfield Post's 2026 Telecommunications Award.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol named Trooper Michael Moerch the Springfield Post's 2026 Trooper of the Year. Dispatcher Tyler J. Green received the post's 2026 Telecommunications Award.
Why it matters
Moerch was selected by fellow officers for his leadership, professional ethics, positive attitude, and commitment to serving the public. Green was recognized by fellow dispatchers and sworn officers for her technical knowledge, teamwork, and professionalism.
Moerch is eligible for consideration for District and State Trooper of the Year awards, which will be announced at a later date. No further recognition decisions have been made as of the announcement.
The players
Ohio State Highway Patrol
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is the statewide law enforcement agency responsible for traffic enforcement and highway safety across Ohio.
Michael Moerch
Michael Moerch is a 24-year-old trooper who joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2023 and has served at the Springfield Post.
Tyler J. Green
Tyler J. Green is a dispatcher who joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2019 and has worked at three Ohio communication and dispatch centers.
The details
Moerch, a Springfield native and Northwestern High School graduate, has served at the Springfield Post throughout his career and recently earned the Highway Patrol's Health and Physical Fitness Award. Green, originally from London, Ohio, completed the Corrections Training Academy in 2017 and has worked at the Columbus Communication Center, West Jefferson Dispatch Center, and Springfield Dispatch Center.
Timeline
2017: Green completed the Corrections Training Academy.
2019: Green joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
2023: Moerch joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
2026: Moerch and Green were named 2026 post award recipients.
Legal Context
The 2026 recognitions follow the Ohio State Highway Patrol's annual practice of honoring post-level troopers and dispatchers through peer-selected awards. The awards recognize individual service within the state's statewide traffic and highway enforcement framework.
The recognitions highlight the patrol personnel who handle traffic enforcement and emergency dispatch in the Springfield area. Residents who call for assistance or travel the region's highways interact directly with the officers and dispatchers honored.
The takeaway
The awards show how peer recognition in the Ohio State Highway Patrol highlights individual contributions from both road troopers and the dispatchers who support them.
What happens next
District and State Trooper of the Year awards will be announced at a later date.
Further reading
For more on local policing, explore Springfield Law Enforcement.
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