ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Ohio State Highway Patrol St. Clairsville Post has selected recipients for this year’s Trooper of the Year and Telecommunications Award.

Trooper Tyler Burd has been selected as the 2021 Trooper of the Year at the St. Clairsville Post. The selection of Burd is in recognition of outstanding service during 2021 at the post. Fellow troopers chose Burd based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.

Burd was commissioned from the OSHP Academy in 2014. He also obtained a bachelor degree from Penn State University in 2012. He has been selected twice by his peers as Post Trooper of the Year. Other patrol awards Burd has received are Health & Physical Fitness Award and Field Training Officer.

OSHP Dispatcher Melissa J. Rath has been selected for the 2021 Ohio State Highway Patrol Telecommunications Award at the St. Clairsville Dispatch Center. The selection of Rath, 38, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2021 at the St. Clairsville Dispatch Center as a dispatcher. Post management, troopers and dispatchers chose Rath based on technical job knowledge and ability, enthusiastic work attitude, teamwork, and prompt and courteous response to the public’s requests for information and assistance.

Rath joined the Highway Patrol in 2009 as a Dispatcher assigned to the St. Clairsville Dispatch Center. She currently serves at this facility. She is originally from Rayland and a 2001 graduate of Steubenville Catholic Central. Prior to joining the OSHP, Rath dispatched for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Rath and husband, Sean, reside in Rayland with their two daughters, 12-year-old Payton and 9-year-old Karysn.