SOUTHINGTON — Trooper Nickolas B. Goodnite was promoted to the rank of sergeant by Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles A. Jones during a ceremony at the patrol’s training academy.

Sgt. Goodnite transferred from his previous assignment at the Canton post to serve as assistant post commander at the Warren post in Southington. Goodnite began his patrol career in May 2007 as a member of the 148th academy class.

He earned his commission in December of the same year and was assigned to the Canton post. As a trooper, he also served at the Training Academy, Cleveland District Commercial Enforcement and the Criminal Patrol Unit. He also served at the Ashland and Cambridge posts. He earned the Criminal Patrol Award twice and the Ace Award for excellence in auto larceny enforcement four times.

Goodnite graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in law from Lake Erie College in 2005.