EMPHASIS: 31 New Troopers To Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 31 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Wednesday, January 20, 2021. The ceremony is by invitation only due to the coronavirus guidelines; however, it will be made available to the public and the media live via the Patrol’s Facebook page Facebook.com/motrooper. A Facebook page is not required to watch the broadcast, which will go live 10 minutes prior to the graduation. The graduation ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The 110th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on August 3, 2020, to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on February 16, 2021.
Four class awards will be presented. The recruits accumulate 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 earns the respective award. Award categories include physical fitness, firearms, academics, and 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 (###)