For further information please contact: Sergeant Dale H. Moreland
(573) 840-9500
121066
December 10, 2007

EMPHASIS: New Commercal Vehicle Program For Troop E




Captain George E. Ridens, Commanding Officer of Troop E, announces a new commercial vehicle enforcement program for the Troop E area. On July 1, 2006, 20 full-time positions were transferred by legislative action from vacancies within the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division and reassigned as sworn troopers. This reassignment of personnel presented the Patrol with an excellent opportunity to further engage in homeland security activities, expand our presence on Missouri roadways, and improve the Patrol’s commercial vehicle enforcement capabilities. Effective November 5, 2007, four Troop E officers begin training at the Patrol’s Training Academy as Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers. The officers are scheduled to graduate from training on December 21, 2007, and begin working in the Troop E area.

The following officers from Troop E have been assigned:

Sergeant Larry Clark will be the supervisor. Sgt. Clark was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1986, and assigned to Zone 1, Butler and Ripley counties. He later transferred to Zone 4, Cape Girardeau/Scott counties, and was promoted to corporal in 1994. In 1997, he was promoted to sergeant, and assigned to the Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid counties. Sgt. Clark and his wife, Marilyn, have two children: Rayhsad, 15, and Spenser, 12. They reside in Sikeston.

Corporal Douglas McDaniel will be the assistant supervisor. Cpl. McDaniel was appointed to the Patrol on November 1, 1994, and assigned to the Stoddard County area. He transferred to the Cape Girardeau/Scott counties in 1997, and was promoted to corporal on May 1, 2004. Cpl. McDaniel and his wife, Jennifer, have two children: Macie, 4, and Carson, 2. Cpl. McDaniel also has one daughter, Mackenzie, 11. They reside in Jackson.

Trooper Lonnie LeJeune was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1995, and assigned to Scott/New Madrid/Mississippi counties until 1999. In 1999, he transferred to Troop C, returning to Troop E in 2000, working the Stoddard County area. In 2001, Tpr. LeJeune transferred to the Scott/New Madrid/Mississippi counties area. Tpr. LeJeune and his wife, Jeannie, have two children Bradley, 18, and Lonnie Dale, 3. They reside in Sikeston.

Trooper Benjamin Jones was appointed to the Patrol on January 16, 2001, and assigned to Pemiscot/New Madrid counties. In 2007, Tpr. Jones transferred to the Gaming Division, and was assigned to the Casino Aztar, in Caruthersville. Tpr. Jones and his wife, Selene, have two children, Brianna, 8, and Benjamin, 1. They reside in Gideon.

The commercial vehicle enforcement troopers retain the normal duties of a road trooper, however, their primary duties will include enforcement of commercial vehicle and special mobile equipment hazardous moving and safety laws, administrative orders, rules, and regulations. These officers will assist the Major Crash Investigation Units in investigating crashes involving commercial vehicles, school buses, and passenger-carrying motor coaches. The CVETs will be trained in inspecting radioactive shipments using specialized equipment, and also will receive training related to homeland security.

Troopers assigned as CVETs will be distinguished from other troopers by uniform and vehicle. This team will be assigned fully marked, two-wheel drive, Chevrolet Tahoe police SUVs. The CVET’s daily uniform will be blue military style field uniform displaying Patrol shoulder patches.


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