Q&A with the Valley’s two new Alaska State Trooper lieutenants

PALMER— Sergeant Brent Johnson and Sergeant Freddie Wells have both earned the rank of lieutenant with the Alaska State Troopers. The two Valley troopers will officially begin their new roles January 1, 2020, taking on more responsibility and helping the big picture in the community.

Johnson and Wells sat down for a question and answer interview Oct. 21 at the Palmer Post to talk about the recent announcement.

Brent Johnson

Johnson first got involved with the Department of Public Safety as a civilian seasonal fish and wildlife aide. He began his career in law enforcement in 2001, starting out of Soldotna. He served across the state as an Alaska Wildlife Trooper.

He was promoted to sergeant in 2014 with the AWT in Palmer. He transferred divisions in 2017, moving to a Patrol Sergeant position for the Valley. He has deep family ties to the Valley and graduated from Colony High School.

Q: How do you feel about making lieutenant?

A: “It felt like the time was right. I like challenges. I’ve been taking on bigger and bigger roles… The biggest thing for me is my family was ready. They’re the first in my life… It’s more responsibilities. I think I’ve shared some pretty good ideas over time. I know the people around here. We all get along excellent. I’m honored to work for this gentleman [Wells]. I’ve been around him quite a bit over my career and I think we’re gonna make a great team.”

Q: I see a lot of wildlife in your background. Did you like that kind of work?

A: “Yeah, I mean I enjoy being in the outdoors. That was kind of my passion growing up- kind of always wanted to be a game warden so to speak. I like getting out. My background was as a pilot so that was kind of a pathway to get to fly and that kind of stuff- be out in boats and stuff like that. After a while you kind of realize too, when you’re busy, everyone else is out playing so don’t really get to go and enjoy the outdoors as much as you might want to.”

Q: How does it feel now, to be stationed in Palmer in a more urban setting?

A: “This is where I went to high school. This is home for my family. This is where we wanted to be. Again, I’ve been all over Alaska. This is probably about as urban as I want to go… I went to college in Anchorage but I really don’t want to live in Anchorage if I can avoid it... I think that’s true for most of us [Valley residents],” Johnson said with a laugh. “Its busy out here. There’s a lot of good people out here.”

Q: It sounds like the Valley is in your blood now, how invested would say that you are in the community?

A: “Oh, as much as anybody could be, 100 percent. I mean, I have no plans to leave. Obviously, I’m taking a step that’s put me into a much higher, more important role and it’s something I want to do… I’m definitely invested in my community. My family lives here, my kids are growing up here. I think we all share that. My house is here and if I see other people’s houses being broken into, that’s no different than my house.”

Freddie Wells

Wells began with career with AST in 1998, starting out of Fairbanks. He donned numerous roles around the state.

In 2008, he was appointed by Gov. Sarah Palin as the First Line Officer with the Alaska Police Standards Council. He was eventually stationed in Palmer in 2017, starting his role as the Palmer Judicial Services supervisor.

He joined AST with a military background. He served with the U.S. Army from 1988 to 1997 as a paratrooper and combat medic during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Q: How does it feel to make lieutenant?

“It feels pretty good. I think it’s really special to be able to start off as a trooper, kind of go through the ranks… you really get to serve in this position. I think that’s one of the things I love doing, serving and helping out the Troopers… We have a really dedicated team here… The main thing was helping people, integrating with our community.”

Q: Do you overall feel like your background with the military has helped you here with the troopers?

A: “Most definitely.That’s one thing they teach within the military: when you’re part of a team, you feel that trust but that goes not only with our team but passes on into the community, that feeling of trust and professionalism.”

Q: Why did you join the Alaska State Troopers?

A: “I’ve always had a heart to help people. In the military, I was a combat medic and I said, ‘what job can I go for that’s similar, deal with radios, you know, deal with traveling to locations, things like that.’ So it was very close to the job that I left. So I said, ‘I’ll try it out. I hear they get to help a lot of people.’”

Q: What does being a trooper mean to you?

A: “In think being a trooper, it really means being able to serve. That’s the big thing, being able to serve and being a bridge in the community, to the law enforcement side. Troopers are somewhat different because we are out in those remote locations, we’re doing search and rescues, traffic- we’re just in every aspect of a person’s life. You’re probably gonna’ come in contact with a Trooper. What I love about this, is being able to that.”

AST Captain Tony April and his team at the B Detachment (Mat-Su Valley district) staff wished to publicly thank Administrative Assistant Carrie Wille, Lt. Andrew Gorn, and Lt. Tom Dunn for their countless contributions to the department and greater community over the years.

Contact Mat-Su Valley reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com