News Release



For further information please contact:

Sergeant Dan Crain

573-368-2345

I12F06

December 26, 2006



EMPHASIS: Retirement of Troop I Driver Examiner Fred Burgess





Captain Randy E. Becker, Commanding Officer of Troop I, announces that effective December 31, 2006, after proudly serving for over 30 years, Driver Examiner Fred J. Burgess will retire. Driver Examiner Burgess’s career with the Patrol began on March 15, 1976, when he was hired to administer driving tests for the Troop I area. On September 15, 1976 he was promoted to the position of Driver Examiner II and then again promoted on March 15, 1977 to the position of Driver Examiner III.



Fred commented that he has always enjoyed the people he has had the opportunity to work with at Troop I. He added that it has also been a pleasure to work with the public. Realizing the importance of the responsibility of deciding who should and should not receive a driver’s license, Driver Examiner Burgess stated, “ I have always tried to treat everyone fairly and impartially and always tried to make everyone feel comfortable. I quickly learned that putting the new driver at ease increased the probability of that person passing the test and having a safe exam”. Fred also stated that he feels very fortunate to have met people of different walks of life and from all over the world.



Following his retirement from the Patrol, Fred said he would continue writing, working and putting together the “Missouri Outdoor Journal”, along with his other favorite hobbies, fishing and turkey hunting. Fred is also looking forward to he and his wife, Julia, having more time to enjoy and spoil their three grandsons Hunter, Cole and Robert.



To celebrate Fred’s dedication to his 30-year career with the Patrol, friends, family and the public are invited to his retirement coffee at Troop I on Friday, December 29, beginning at 1:30pm. So that other Troop I Driver Examiners may attend, the Rolla testing station will be closed that day at 11:30am.