Melissa McClendon
Locust Grove senior Steven Clifton already has his future mapped out. After attending the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Cadet Lawman Academy this summer, Clifton plans to become an Oklahoma Highway Patrol Officer after graduating from college.
“I just have to apply myself and do it,” said Clifton.
The son of Larry and Kelli Clifton, Steven always thought he would join the military and become a fighter pilot. But after attending the academy his plans have changed.
“I want to serve citizens somehow. I like helping people,” Clifton said.
The OHP Cadet Lawmen Academy, which is sponsored by the OHP, Oklahoma Troopers Association and Oklahoma Elks Major Projects, is a way for entering high school seniors to get a “first hand taste of what it takes to be a Trooper in Oklahoma.” The academy trains the cadets in driving, traffic and boating law enforcement, firearm instruction, self defense and the history of law enforcement.
Clifton first heard about the academy from an OHP Trooper. He filled out an application and began to meet all of the academy requirements. Each cadet must be entering their senior year, be in the top half of their class, physically able to complete all activities, have a completed application, an Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activity Association medical physical, signed endorsements from a parent or guardian, high school principal or superintendent and an Elks Lodge president.
A former member of the Navy Sea Cadet program, Clifton was not stranger to training and boot camp type conditions.
“The academy (OHP cadet) is tough. I thought it would be a breeze. It opened my eyes,” said Clifton. “The highway patrol is as tough if not tougher than the military but they made it fun.”
Because of Clifton’s experience with the military program, he already knew how to march. His experience gave him an edge in leading his Green Platoon in marching.
Clifton said the week was packed full of training like marching but the cadets also got a chance to have fun while still learning. They got to ride in planes and air boats, learned water rescue and took field trips. The cadets were taken to Granite prison for a tour of the state facility.
“It was crazy,” Clifton said. “It’s a bad life. It’s not something I would look forward too. It changed my perspective on prisons.”
The cadets also took a trip to Quartz Mountain, enjoyed softball and learned about the Elks Lodge.
“If it wasn’t for the Elks this program probably wouldn’t be able to make it,” Clifton said.
Clifton traveled the farthest of the 100 cadets to be a part of the academy. He said it was over a six hour drive to Burns Flat where the academy is held.
He hopes to make the trip again this summer as a junior staff member instead of a cadet. Clifton said graduating seniors are allowed to return as Junior Staff to assist the OHP at the academy.
Clifton wasn’t the only Mayes County cadet at the academy. Pryor’s Wes Horton and Chouteau’s Kyle Flint were also there. Robert Stanley and R.C. Greninger, both of Pryor attended the 36th Academy as Junior Staff.
