For further information please contact: Sgt. Kent Casey
417-359-1500 ext. 2229
DS030207-1
March 02, 2007

EMPHASIS: Sergeant Miles Parks Retires


On March 01, 2007, Sergeant Miles S. Parks retired as a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol after 38 years and 9 months of dedicated service to the citizens of the state of Missouri. He has the distinction of serving longer than any officer in the history of the Highway Patrol.

Sergeant Parks began his career with the Highway Patrol on June 1, 1968, when he reported to the Highway Patrol Academy in Rolla, MO. He was a member of the last class to attend the Patrol Academy in Rolla prior to the Academy being moved to Jefferson City. His first assignment was in Troop A, Cass County in Harrisonville. In 1976, he transferred to Troop H, St. Joseph. In 1981, Parks was selected as polygraphist for Troop H and attended the National Training Center for Polygraph Science in New York City. On June 1, 1982, he was promoted to the rank of corporal; then on May 1, 1984, he was promoted to sergeant. In 1990, he transferred to Troop D as a criminal investigator, the position he held until retirement, and was stationed in Carthage, MO.

Miles was born and spent his early years in Corpus Christi, Texas. He loves telling stories about attending school with future movie star, Farrah Faucett. During his high school years the Parks family relocated to Cole Camp, MO. Miles graduated from Cole Camp High School in 1965. From 1965 through 1968, he attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, MO, majoring in criminal justice and sociology.

Sergeant Parks is married to Mary (Schnackenberg), a native of Cole Camp. They have a son, Lane, who lives in Edmond, OK, and a daughter, Leta, who lives in Fairway, KS. They also have three granddaughters.