ANNAPOLIS — On Friday, the Maryland State Police gathered to celebrate Black History Month. During the two-hour event, troopers past and present, along with the latest Trooper Candidate Class, witnessed a panel discussion that highlighted several trailblazing African-American female troopers.

Those who participated included retired TFC Jacqueline Ringgold-Johnson, who in 1974 became one of the first two African-American women to graduate from the state police academy.

Retired Major Anita L. Allen, who graduated from the 99th Maryland State Police Academy Class in 1989, would go on to become the department’s first African-American female barrack commander and commissioned officer. She retired as the Assistant Chief of the Support Services Bureau in charge of Logistics Command.

Captain Crystal Carter Savage, a graduate of the 111th Maryland State Police Academy Class in 1998. Today she is the commander of the Office of Promotional Testing.

Trooper Tykeshia Johnson was the youngest member of the panel. The 39-year-old served as a sergeant in the Delaware Department of Corrections before eventually become a detective with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore Police Department.

On Dec. 20, 2019, Trooper Johnson graduated as a member of the 150th Maryland State Police Academy Class. She is assigned to the Salisbury Barrack.

To apply for a position in the state police, visit https://mdsp.maryland.gov/Careers/Pages/default.aspx