EMPHASIS: 29 New Troopers Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 29 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, July 23, 2021. The ceremony began at 9 a.m. and took place on the South Lawn of the Missouri State Capitol. The public was invited to attend the event or watch the ceremony live on the Patrol’s YouTube channel. The 111th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on February 1, 2021, to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on August 9, 2021.
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address, and Col. Olson also spoke to the class during the graduation. Missouri Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Kevin Bond also attended the ceremony. The Honorable Patricia Breckenridge, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Provost Roger K. McMillian, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to 17 of the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Sergeant Andrew Henry (H) sang the national anthem. Pastor John Thompson from Life Church in Rolla, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.
Four class awards were presented. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their 25 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in each category earned the respective award. Trooper Zachary T. Chastain accepted the Physical Fitness Award. Trooper Aaron K. Booker accepted the Academics Award. Trooper Derek R. Peters accepted the Firearms Award. Trooper Eric J. Smith accepted the Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.
The names (hometowns) and first assignments of members of the 111th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A Aaron K. Booker (Blue Springs, MO), Zone 7, Jackson County Devan J. Harms (Kansas City, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County Colten B. Henderson (Spokane, MO), Zone 14, Bates County Nathaniel J. Medrano (Independence, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County Derek Peters (Sedalia, MO), Zone 10, Saline County Ryan K. Stearns (Marshall, MO), Zone 3, Clay County Troop B Ezekiel G. Schieferdecker (Hurdland, MO), Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties Eric J. Smith (Hannibal, MO), Zone 7, Lewis/Knox Counties Elijah N. Stinson (Poplar Bluff, MO), Zone 3, Linn/Chariton Counties Troop C Cyle C. Battreal (Pomona, MO), Zone 16, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties Dylan H. Bert (Cypress, TX), Zone 8, St. Charles County Almedin Birdzo (St. Louis, MO), Zone 5, Pike/Lincoln Counties Collin P. Brown (Ballwin, MO), Zone 11, Franklin County Zachary T. Chastain (Crane, MO), Zone 10, Franklin County Raymond M. Dressler (St. Louis, MO), Zone 7, Warren County Christopher A. Gates (St. Ann, MO), Zone 1, N. St. Louis County Kaleig A. Mitchell (Overland Park, KS), Zone 5, Pike/Lincoln Counties Matthew Smith (Ballwin, MO), Zone 4, S. St. Louis County Jeffrey J. Wilt (Shelbina, MO), Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties Troop D Levi H. Crowe (Carthage, MO), Zone 3, Polk County Joshua T. Martin (Sarcoxie, MO), Zone 13, Newton/McDonald Counties Troop E James E. Williams (Charleston, MO), Zone 6, Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid Counties David L. McKnight (Sikeston, MO), Zone 7, Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid Counties Roberto C. Rodriguez Penaflor (Senath, MO), Zone 11, Stoddard County Troop F Samuel L. Ponder (New Bloomfield, MO), Zone 3, Boone County Troop G Kenneth H. Hall (Ellsinore, MO), Zone 8, Carter/Reynolds Counties Troop H Molly H. Gach (St. Joseph, MO), Zone 6, Buchanan/Andrew Counties Troop I Troyjacob E. Ebeling (Rolla, MO), Zone 9, Crawford County Samuel J. Hallam (Joplin, MO), Zone 8, Laclede County (###)