Two Lake Area Technical College Graduates Earn South Dakota’s Highest Law Enforcement Honors
June 4, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WATERTOWN, S.D. — Lake Area Technical College’s Law Enforcement program is celebrating an extraordinary achievement as two graduates have been recognized with South Dakota’s highest honors in law enforcement during 2025.
Trooper Paige Zempel, a 2018 graduate of Lake Area Technical College, was named the 2025 South Dakota Trooper of the Year, while Officer Alexis Buysse, a 2016 graduate, was named the 2025 South Dakota Police Officer of the Year.
The recognition of two Lake Area Tech graduates with the state’s most prestigious law enforcement awards in the same year speaks to the strength of the college’s Law Enforcement program and its long-standing commitment to preparing students for successful careers in public service.
Trooper Zempel, who serves with the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s Glacial Lakes Squad, received the Trooper of the Year award during the 14th Annual Highway Patrol Awards Ceremony in Sioux Falls. The award was presented by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and Colonel Casey Collins in recognition of her outstanding service, professionalism, and dedication to protecting the citizens of South Dakota.
Officer Buysse, a member of the Watertown Police Department, was named the South Dakota Police Officer of the Year by the South Dakota Police Chiefs’ and Sheriffs’ Associations. She earned the honor for her highly successful, community-centered approach as the department’s dedicated Mental Health Officer, helping connect individuals and families with resources while building stronger relationships between law enforcement and the community.
For Lake Area Technical College, the honors represent more than individual accomplishments. They reflect the program’s mission of developing skilled professionals who lead with integrity, compassion, and a commitment to service.
“These recognitions are a testament not only to Paige and Alexis, but also to the values they embraced during their time at Lake Area Tech,” said Cameron Corey, Vice President of Lake Area Technical College. “Law enforcement today requires professionalism, critical thinking, empathy, and a servant’s heart. Paige and Alexis exemplify those qualities every day, and we are incredibly proud to see them recognized as the very best in South Dakota.”
The Law Enforcement program at Lake Area Technical College has built a reputation for producing highly prepared graduates who excel in a variety of public safety careers. Students receive hands-on training, scenario-based instruction, and practical experiences that prepare them to serve communities across the state and region.
The success of graduates like Zempel and Buysse continues to reinforce the program’s impact. Their accomplishments demonstrate that effective law enforcement is about more than enforcing laws—it is about serving communities, building trust, protecting vulnerable individuals, and making a meaningful difference in people’s lives.
The recognition comes during a period of continued success for Lake Area Tech’s Law Enforcement program. The program has consistently achieved exceptional student outcomes, including a near-perfect written examination pass rate among graduates entering the profession.
As South Dakota recognizes its finest law enforcement professionals, Lake Area Technical College proudly celebrates two alumni whose careers embody the highest standards of the profession. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to current students and future officers who aspire to make a positive impact in their communities.
From the highways of eastern South Dakota to community-based mental health initiatives in Watertown, Trooper Paige Zempel and Officer Alexis Buysse are demonstrating what it means to serve with excellence—and proving that Lake Area Tech graduates continue to make South Dakota safer, stronger, and better.
About LATC
Founded in 1965, Lake Area Technical College serves nearly 2,800 students and offers more than 30 career-focused programs designed to meet workforce needs. The college has a 99.8 percent placement rate, with most graduates choosing to live and work in South Dakota.
Lake Area Tech’s mission is to provide superior, comprehensive technical education that changes lives and launches careers. The college received the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, recognizing it as the top two-year college in the nation. For more information and to apply, visit: www.lakeareatech.edu.
Image 01, left to right: Watertown Police Chief Tim Toomey, Officer Alexis Buysse.
Image 02, left to right: DPS Secretary Bob Perry, Trooper Paige Zempel , Col. Casey Collins