BENTON, Ark. — Three Arkansas State Police troopers have been jointly honored with the agency’s Trooper of the Year Award for 2025 after officials credited them with courageous, decisive action during a dangerous encounter with a wanted suspect.
The Arkansas Department of Public Safety announced that Trooper Ethan Hiland, Trooper First Class Brady Nuckels, and Trooper First Class Jacob Price received the recognition during the annual Arkansas State Police Awards Ceremony hosted by the Arkansas State Police Foundation at the Benton Event Center.
According to the department, the three troopers were recognized for their actions during a June 2025 encounter involving Felipe Millan-Gomez, 33, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Arkansas officials said Millan-Gomez was wanted in connection with an armed carjacking and kidnapping reported in Manistee County, Michigan.
Arkansas State Police said troopers and U.S. Marshals Service personnel located and stopped the suspect’s vehicle near Carlisle. The agency said Millan-Gomez exited the vehicle while brandishing a weapon; troopers discharged their firearms, and Millan-Gomez was pronounced dead at the scene.
The department’s release states that the Twenty-Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney determined in August 2025 that the troopers’ use of deadly force was lawful and justified.
“The actions of Troopers Hiland, Nuckels, and Price that day were nothing short of heroic,” Arkansas State Police Director Col. Mike Hagar said in the department’s announcement. “They demonstrated exceptional courage in a dangerous situation, and this honor is well deserved.”
The same ceremony also recognized a broad group of Arkansas State Police employees and troopers, including recipients of the Trooper’s Cross Award, Medal of Valor, Distinguished Meritorious Service Awards, Lifesaving Awards, and other service honors.
Featured image: Arkansas Department of Public Safety / Arkansas State Police. The agency caption identifies, left to right, Lt. Col. Jason Aaron, TFC Jacob Price, Trooper Ethan Hiland, TFC Brady Nuckels, and Lt. Col. Mike Kennedy.
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