Nick Coltrain / Nevada AppealThe three new Nevada Highway Patrol captains pose for a photo Thursday after the pinning ceremony at the Department of Public Safety. From left: Capts. Susan Aller-Schilling, Tom Merschel and John O'Rourke.
The Nevada Highway Patrol promoted three lieutenants to captain Thursday morning, making them part of the 12 decision makers for the state agency and a third of the entire contingent of captains, Chief Troy L. Abney said at the ceremony. Lt. Col. Todd Ellison said that in his 27 years with NHP, he's never seen three promotions happen simultaneously.
The new captains are: Susan Aller-Schilling, who will oversee rural patrol operations, administration and dispatch for western Nevada. She will be based out of Reno. John O'Rourke will be the commander overseeing rural, commercial, special operations and risk management out of the Las Vegas post. Tom Merschel will oversee all of northeast Nevada and be based out of Elko.