BENTON, Ark. — Three Arkansas State Police (ASP) Troopers were jointly awarded the prestigious Arkansas State Police Trooper of the Year Award for 2025 during the annual ASP Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Arkansas State Police Foundation at the Benton Event Center.
Trooper Ethan Hiland, Trooper First Class Brady Nuckels, and Trooper First Class Jacob Price were recognized for their bravery and decisive actions during a June 2025 encounter involving a wanted suspect.
The incident occurred as Troopers and officers with the U.S. Marshals Service attempted to apprehend Felipe Millan-Gomez, 33, of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Millan-Gomez was wanted in connection with an armed carjacking and kidnapping that occurred in June of 2025, in Manistee County, Michigan. Authorities reported that Millan-Gomez threatened a woman at gunpoint, forced her to drive, and later took control of her vehicle. He was considered armed and dangerous
Troopers Hiland, Nuckels, and Price, along with members of the U.S. Marshals Service, located and stopped the suspect’s vehicle near Carlisle. Millan-Gomez exited the vehicle while brandishing a weapon. Troopers discharged their firearms, striking the suspect. Millan-Gomez was pronounced deceased at the scene
In August 2025, the Twenty-Third Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney determined that the Troopers’ use of deadly force was lawful and fully justified
“The actions of Troopers Hiland, Nuckels, and Price that day were nothing short of heroic,” ASP Director Col. Mike Hagar said. “They demonstrated exceptional courage in a dangerous situation, and this honor is well deserved.”
During the ceremony, Hagar introduced the keynote speaker Sergeant Major (Ret.) Tom Smith.
SGM Smith, a native of Dardanelle, retired from the U.S. Army in December 2016 after nearly 25 years of service, including 13 years with a Special Missions Unit at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. A former member of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, he won the Army’s Best Ranger Competition in 1998 and deployed 14 times in support of the Global War on Terrorism. His awards include eight Bronze Star Medals – one for valor – the Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Purple Heart
Others recognized in today’s ceremony:
ASP Employee of the YearCriminal Investigations Division – Internet Crimes Against Children Intelligence Analyst Lenore Paladino
Trooper’s Cross AwardTrooper Jackson DaniellSpecial Agent David FieldingTrooper Nash Thomas TFC Tyler Van SchoyckCorporal Eric WoldCorporal Paul Meeks
Distinguished Meritorious Service AwardsSpecial Agent David MossCorporal Dustin Thompson
Medal of ValorSgt. Dustin ArnoldSgt. Andrew AultSgt. Dakotah Bailey TFC Justin CherryTrooper John CrowCorporal Kendrick DavisTFC Trevor DewSgt. Jackson DormanTrooper Ethan HilandTFC Tyler LangleyTFC Brady NuckelsTFC Jacob PriceTFC Mason ReddingCorporal Dylan RobbinsCorporal Paul MeeksTFC Justin Parker
Lifesaving AwardsTrooper Hunter GloverTFC Isaac LawsonTrooper Steven PlylerTFC Quinton Maag
Official Commendations:TFC Jacob ByrdTFC Ethan CarltonCorporal Britt ClementsChief Rado Operator Jessica DietzInvestigator Haley EbySpecial Agent Mark FallisSpecial Agent David HarrellTelecom Specialist Philip HousdanSpecial Agent Kevin HrabalCorporal Ben IbarraTrooper Nathan JynesTelecom Specialist Harlie LoftisTelecom Specialist Hannah MarshallSergeant Tyler NelsonTrooper Justin ParrishTelecom Operator Jada PriceSpecial Agent Paul RobsonCorporal Christopher ShortTrooper Jackson ShumateTelecom Supervisor Philicity SivleyTrooper Connor Vrooman
Distinguished Service AwardsGriffin Glynn Micah HoffmanFederico RevueltaKaitlin RickardJeremiah ThompsonOfficer Kyle Naish (Springdale Police Department)
Secretary of State AwardIn addition, 11 Troopers were awarded special citations from the Arkansas Secretary of State for their work in the double homicide investigation and arrest that occurred in Devil’s Den State Park in July of 2025.
Those citations were awarded to:Lt. Eric LeeLt. Phillip PierceSpecial Agent Thurmond LunsfordSpecial Agent Skyler McElroySpecial Agent Dale BaileySpecial Agent Dwight RoamSpecial Agent Gregg BraySpecial Agent Jaran McCormickSgt. Sor LeeSpecial Agent Allen HamiltonSpecial Agent Jed BolyardSpringdale Police Sgt. Kyle Naish
FBI SOS Award Recipients:Agent Blake DowningAgent Matthew CaravellaAgent Rachael PeatrossAgent Brittney MurphyAgent Jared Simpson
Article courtesy of the Arkansas State Police
