Q12222023 December 22, 2023
EMPHASIS: 25 New Troopers Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 22, 2023. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium, 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO. The graduation ceremony was live streamed on the Patrol’s Facebook page. The 118th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 3, 2023. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 8, 2024.
The Honorable Mike Kehoe, lieutenant governor of Missouri, provided the keynote address. Mr. John Whetsel, retired Sheriff of Oklahoma County, OK and retired Chief of Police of Choctaw, OK and Colonel Eric T. Olson addressed the class during the graduation. The Honorable Robin Ransom, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors, and the 135th Army Band, Missouri Army National Guard, performed the national anthem. Pastor Delbert Hampton, Unity Baptist Church, Fulton, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.
The recruits accumulated points toward graduation throughout their 25 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in the categories of academics, firearms, and physical fitness earned the respective award.
The following awards were presented during the graduation ceremony:
Academics Award ― Trooper Dustin Willhite
Firearms Award ― Trooper Jackson Collier
Physical Fitness Award ― Trooper Hunter Hampton
Superintendent's Award ― Trooper Hunter Hampton
The names (hometowns) and first assignments of members of the 118th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A Trooper Klayton R. Kennedy, Plattsburg, MO, Platte County Trooper Corey W. Klotz, Nevada, MO, Bates County Trooper Connor W. Norris, Kearney, MO, Clay County Troop B Trooper Kristopher B. Geren, Fowler, IL, Marion/Ralls Counties Trooper Tristen C. Miller, Shelby, MO, Linn/Chariton Counties Troop C Trooper Dalon J. Brown, Hazelwood, MO, North St. Louis County Trooper Jackson S. Collier, Farmington, MO, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties Trooper Brian J. Fessenden, Palmyra, MO, South St. Louis County Trooper Justin D. Hedrick, St. Charles, MO, South St. Louis County Trooper Dallas R. McKenzie, Quincy, IL, St. Charles County Trooper Roan Oosthuizen, Grapevine, TX, St. Charles County Trooper Edgar J. Raya, St. Louis, MO, South St. Louis County Trooper Ethan G. Talleur, St. Clair, MO, Franklin County Trooper Mason K. Wilson, Seneca, MO, St. Charles County Troop E Trooper Brady T. Hart, Puxico, MO, Butler/Ripley Counties Trooper Gunner L.R. Meloy, Marble Hill, MO, Butler/Ripley Counties Troop F Trooper Ryan C. Byers, Joplin, MO, Morgan/Moniteau Counties Trooper Hunter W. Hampton, Fulton, MO, Cole County Trooper Jonathan E. Pinker, Overland Park, KS, Camden/Miller Counties Trooper Bailey D. Whetsel, Jones, OK, Cole County Troop G Trooper Chad K. Johnson, Seymour, MO, Texas/Wright Counties Troop H Trooper Robert K. Mott, Mt. Pulaski, IL, Holt/Atchison Counties Troop I Trooper Aaron M. Cunningham, Rolla, MO, Crawford County Trooper Kolby J. Estes, Warsaw, MO, Phelps/Maries Counties Trooper Dustin R. Willhite, Hartville, MO, Laclede County (###)