SOUTHINGTON — The Warren Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has selected trooper Adam Smith as its 2025 Trooper of the Year and Michelle “Shelly” Higgins for the 2025 Dispatcher of the Year award.

Smith joined the patrol in 2023 and has been assigned to the Warren post. Originally from North Jackson, he graduated from Jackson-Milton High School in 2016. He attended Ohio University and Youngstown State University. Smith resides in Brookfield.

Higgins joined the patrol in 2003 and has served at the Ashtabula, Ravenna and Warren post dispatch centers. She earned her high school diploma from Maplewood High School in 1992 and resides in Mecca.

Higgins has been awarded dispatcher of the year eight times during her career. She was also selected as the district dispatcher of the year twice, once in 2008 and once in 2018. She is actively involved in her community, volunteering with Special Olympics and supporting local initiatives.

Higgins served as a firefighter and advanced EMT for 10 years prior to transitioning her career to telecommunications with the Trumbull County 911 dispatch center for two years before joining OSHP.

Smith and Higgins are now in contention for the district and state awards, which will be announced at a later date.