New wildlife trooper Wallace Kirksey, who goes by his middle name Stuart, has taken his post in Haines last month, replacing departing trooper Trent Chwialkowski.
Kirksey transferred to Haines from an Alaska State Trooper patrol position in Matanuska-Susitna Valley West. Since 2011, he’s worked as a trooper in in Palmer, Delta Junction and Talkeetna. This is his first time as a wildlife trooper.
Originally from Alabama, Kirksey spent six years as an infantry Marine before his move to Alaska. He also worked as a commercial roofer, he said.
Chwialkowski transferred to a post in Cantwell, Alaska, after three years in Haines. Prior to his arrival, the position was vacant for nearly a year due to state budget cuts.
A “blue shirt” highway trooper position in Haines was eliminated in 2017 when state budget cuts moved the position to Bethel, an area with increasing felony crimes.