Luther Family Ford Salute to Law Enforcement

Trooper Malafa comes from a long line of public servants and ND State Troopers. His father, Curt Malafa, previously worked for the Cass County, ND Sheriff’s Office as a Sheriff’s Deputy. Darin’s mother, Retired Captain Lori Malafa, was a member of the NDHP, serving from 1986-2014. Darin’s older brother is Sergeant Adam Malafa, a current sergeant with the NDHP in Fargo. His younger brother, Ryan, is an equipment operator for the NDDOT in Bismarck. Finally, Darin’s uncle, Kelly Rogers, is a retired member of the ND Highway Patrol, having served 27 years with the agency.

Trooper Malafa is an involved and dedicated member of the NDHP. He currently serves as a field training officer (FTO), having served in this role for several years in Fargo. This role is crucial as our FTO’s are assisting with the training of our recruit troopers and with their transition into self-sufficient members of the department. Being an FTO requires patience, effective communication, empathy, mentorship, professionalism, commitment, loyalty, and integrity. Darin exemplifies each of these skills and values. His goal while working alongside and training with a new officer it to teach and reinforce appropriate behaviors, attitudes, and actions that will make each new trooper a professional and respected member of our agency, supporting the mission of the NDHP to make a difference every day.

Darin is a member of the NDHP Emergency Response Team (ERT). This an all-volunteer unit within the NDHP that trains in crowd management, search and rescue and dignitary protection. Darin is a squad leader on the team, which requires him to organize training and be the go-to person/leader for his squad when details arise. Darin is diligent, ensuring essential training is completed in real world environments and that all members are sufficiently trained so they are a homogenic group when deployed. Being an ERT member requires the group to be on an unpaid on-call status and must respond at a moments notice when a detail occurs. Trooper Malafa makes himself available when needed for training, operations and as a sounding board for other members of the team.

In 2020, Trooper Malafa was nominated for the NDHP Colonel’s Award of Excellence for his participation with the NDHP ERT at the riots that occurred in downtown Fargo in May of that year. The NDHP assistance during this event was instrumental in securing the downtown area that evening and over the following days. In 2022, Darin received the Cass County Sheriff’s Office Distinguished Service Award from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office for assisting the sheriff’s office with an armed male in the Cass County. Darin was part of an observation team that was in the line of fire during the event, but his positioning allowed for perimeter security and an observation post during the incident that was crucial to the overall operational picture.

Trooper Malafa is a professional and supportive trooper. He supports the public we serve, the values we uphold and the NDHP mission daily. Darin remains an active trooper while on patrol, responding to crashes, assisting motorist’s roadside, conducting educational efforts and conducting effective traffic patrol. In 2025, Trooper Malafa responded to 140 calls for service, 52 crashes, 94 assisting other officers, 27 highway assists, and tested 50 motorists for impairment. Darin issued 365 warnings and 622 citations with the citations including: 14 drug arrests, 36 suspended/unlicensed drivers, 34 DUI arrests, and 76 seat belt violations.