EMPHASIS: 31 New Troopers Graduated From The Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 31 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy today, Wednesday, January 20, 2021. The ceremony was by invitation only due to the coronavirus guidelines; however, it was made available to the public and the media live via the Patrol’s Facebook page Facebook.com/motrooper. The graduation ceremony began at 10 a.m. The 110th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on August 3, 2020. The new troopers report for duty in their assigned troops on February 16, 2021.
Missouri Governor Mike Parson provided the keynote address. First Lady Teresa Parson also attended the event. Col. Olson addressed the class during the graduation. The Honorable Cotton Walker, 19th Judicial Circuit Civil Judge, state 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 12 of the new troopers. Trooper Cole P. Justice, 110th Recruit Class, sang the national anthem. Trooper Zachary L. Ricker, 110th Recruit Class chaplain, 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 Samuel S. Base accepted the Physical Fitness Award. Trooper Zachary T. Costley accepted the Academics Award. Trooper David T. Craig accepted the Firearms Award. Trooper Alex C. Philipps 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 110th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A John P. Blinkinsop (Joplin, MO), Zone 5, Ray/Carroll Counties Derek M. Bradshaw (St. James, MO), Zone 11, Cass County David T. Craig (Nixa, MO), Zone 7, Jackson County Michael A. Ebeling (Iberia, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County Samuel L. Edwards (Springfield, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County Hazen J. Groves (Jefferson City, MO), Zone 15, Henry County Matthew J. Hickman (Wheaton, MO), Zone 15, Henry County Jackson D. Hood (Springfield, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County Tristen D. Jackson (Sedalia, MO), Zone 10, Saline County Troop B Cole T. Hinshaw (Shelbyville, MO), Zone 6, Clark/Scotland Counties Nicholas C. Keller (Philadelphia, MO), Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties Cody J. Snyder (Kirksville, MO), Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties Troop C Kyle G. Barba (Lakewood, CA), Zone 1, North St. Louis County Zachariah P. Beckerman (Jackson, MO), Zone 12, Jefferson County Thomas W. Brewer (Belle, MO), Zone 13, Jefferson County Delandis O. Gillespie (Charleston, MO), Zone 2, North St. Louis County Bradley T. Gregory (Jonesburg, MO), Zone 1, North St. Louis County Cameron L. Kurtzman (Chesterfield, MO), Zone 12, Jefferson County Eric J. McBride (St. Clair, MO), Zone 9, St. Charles County Rudo K. Stone Jr. (Chicago, IL), Zone 2, North St. Louis County Troop D Zachary T. Costley (Lamar, MO), Zone 15, Stone/Taney Counties Troop E John M. Tomaszewski (Sikeston, MO), Zone 10, Dunklin County Troop F Andrew M. Gordon (Montgomery City, MO), Zone 4, Audrain County Troop G Landon C. Pruiett (Braggadocio, MO), Zone 6, South Howell/Oregon Counties Zachary L. Ricker (Van Buren, MO), Zone 8, Carter/Reynolds Counties William A. Wadlington (Oran, MO), Zone 5, Douglas/Ozark Counties Troop H Samuel S. Base (Coffeyville, KS), Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties Benjamin L. Gregory (Jonesburg, MO), Zone 3, Harrison/Gentry Counties Cole P. Justice (Smithville, MO), Zone 2, Nodaway/Worth Counties Troop I Keaton P. Hunt (Rolla, MO), Zone 1, Phelps/Maries Counties Alex C. Philipps (Jackson, MO), Zone 4, Pulaski/Maries Counties (###)