NEWS ALERT

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q12083
December 11, 2008
EMPHASIS: 88th Recruit Class To Graduate From Patrol Academy

The media and the public are invited to attend the graduation ceremony for 26 new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers. This event is the culmination of 25 weeks of training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, MO. The graduation ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m., on Friday, December 19, 2008, in the gymnasium of the Patrol Academy. The new troopers will report for duty on January 5, 2009. The 88th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 1, 2008.

During the graduation ceremony, Greene County Sheriff Jack Merritt, who retired from the Patrol in 1997 at the rank of captain, will address the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Missouri Supreme Court, will administer the Oath of Office to the new troopers.

Nineteen of the new troopers are candidates for an associate’s of applied science degree from Mineral Area College based on their course work at the Academy. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their Academy training. The person with the highest number of points in each category earns the respective award. Award recipients will be announced at the graduation ceremony.

Listed below are the names, hometowns, and first assignments for members of the 88th Recruit Class:

Name Hometown First Assignment
Dustin L. Braynard, West Plains, Troop C, Zone 2, St. Louis County
Phillip J. Brown, Bentonville, AR, Troop C, Zone 14, St. Francois/ Washington Counties
Matthew R. Cook, Jasper, MO, Troop C, Zone 5, Lincoln/Pike Counties
James C. Cooksey Jr., Matthews, MO, Troop C, Zone 17, Perry/Ste. Genevieve Counties
Timothy S. Craig, Ste. Genevieve, MO, Troop C, Zone 16, Perry/Ste. Genevieve Counties
Michael L. Dotson, Sedalia, MO, Troop A, Zone 10, Saline County
Justin S. Dunn, Marceline, MO, Troop B, Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties
Lee C. Ewigman, Marceline, MO, Troop C, Zone 6 Lincoln/Pike Counties
Troy F. Graham, Savannah, MO, Troop H, Zone 5, Andrew/Buchanan Counties
Darrin R. Haslag, Jefferson City, MO, Troop F, Zone 2, Cole/Southern Callaway Counties
David M. Kempf, Branson, MO, Troop C, Zone 10, Franklin County
Kyle L. Knight, Joplin, MO, Troop I, Zone 6, Pulaski/Maries County
Jeffery D. Maudlin, Albany, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, St. Louis County
Dennis W. McCormick, Campbell, MO, Troop E, Zone 10, Dunklin County
Matthew H. Mistler, Eldon, MO, Troop C, Zone 11, Franklin County
Kyle W. Murphy, Blue Springs, MO, Troop A, Zone 10, Saline County
Evan D. Phillips, Springfield, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, St. Louis County
Larry L. Ray, Miller, MO, Troop D, Zone 6, Dade/Lawrence Counties
Kimberly D. Roady, Granite City, IL, Troop C, Zone 2, St. Louis County
James R. Rorie Jr., Republic, MO, Troop C, Zone 12, Jefferson County
Chase A. Stallcup, Nixa, MO, Troop I, Zone 4, Pulaski/Maries Counties
Gregory K. Tesch, Mountain Grove, MO, Troop A, Zone 7, Jackson County
Alexander R. Vivas, Springfield, MO, Troop A, Zone 3, Clay County
Michael T. Weakley, Mountain View, MO, Troop A, Zone 5, Ray/Carroll County
John J. West, Ellsinore, MO, Troop C, Zone 6, Lincoln/Pike Counties
Ryan A. Wood, Lee’s Summit, MO, Troop A, Zone 7, Jackson County

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