NEWS RELEASE



For further information please contact:

Capt. Christian T. Ricks

(573) 526-6115



May 7, 2005



EMPHASIS: Patrol Commissions 37 New Troopers



Thirty-seven new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy today in Jefferson City, MO. They will report for duty on May 23, 2005. The 83rd Recruit Class reported to the Academy on October 18, 2004.



Mr. Mark James, director of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Missouri Supreme Court judge, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Rev. Terry Robinson from the First Church of God in St. James, MO, gave the invocation and benediction.



Twenty-two of the new troopers received an associate’s degree from Mineral Area College based on their course work at the Academy. Four class awards were presented. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their 27 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in each category earns the respective award. The Physical Fitness Award went to Trooper Aaron K. Griffin. The Top Gun Trophy went to Trooper Benjamin J. Blankenbecker. Trooper Donald K. Jones earned the Academic Award for the class. The Superintendent’s Award for overall achievement was presented to Trooper Curtis B. Wilt.





Listed below are the names, hometowns, and first assignments for members of the 83rd Recruit Class:



Name, Hometown, First Assignment

Christopher M. Arbuthnot; Cape Girardeau, MO; Troop C; Perry/Ste. Genevieve Counties



Benjamin J. Blankenbeker; Osage Beach, MO; Troop F; Callaway County



Joshua R. Breitbach; St. Louis, MO; Troop C; St. Charles County



James W. Collins; Carl Junction, MO; Troop I; Pulaski County



Robert C. Creasey; Willard, MO; Troop I; Dent County



Ann L. Cross; Jefferson City, MO; Troop H; Harrison County



Cody G. DunFee; Cassville, MO; Troop A; Bates County



Matthew P. Fisher; Kansas City, MO; Troop A;

Ray/Carroll Counties



Russell R. Gibson Jr.; Sikeston, MO; Troop C; Lincoln/Pike Counties



Travis I. Goolsby; St. Joseph, MO; Troop H; DeKalb County



Tosha N. Green; Scott City, MO; Troop C; Franklin County



Aaron K. Griffin; Columbia, MO; Troop H; Daviess County



Shawn M. Griggs, Jefferson City, MO; Troop C; St. Louis County



Christopher A. Hill; Springfield, MO; Troop A; Benton County



Huntley H. Hoemann II; Washington, MO; Troop C; Franklin County



Tobin J. Hollmann; Jefferson City, MO; Troop B; Randolph County



Donald K. Jones; Nixa, MO; Troop I; Pulaski County



Jeremie L. Keathley; Jefferson City, MO; Troop I;

Phelps County



Eric R. Kessler; Warrenton, MO; Troop C; St. Charles County



John A. Lacey; Cape Girardeau, MO; Troop E; Stoddard County



Brian R. Lange; Belle, MO; Troop A; Lafayette County



William S. Lashmet; Springfield, MO; Troop H; Holt County



Warren K. Lloyd; Kansas City, MO; Troop A; Platte County



Nogi H. McDaniel; Steele, MO; Troop E; New Madrid/Pemiscot Counties



Jason E. McTheeney; Stoutsville, MO; Troop B; Putnam County



Ronald A. Metteer Jr.; Arnold, MO; Troop C; St. Louis County



James D. Ogden; Gainesville, MO; Troop A; Henry County



Dale B. Pounds; Houston, MO; Troop E; New Madrid/Pemiscot Counties



Dustin B. Reed; Desloge, MO; Troop C; St. Francois/Washington Counties



Matthew R. Schmidt; Savannah, MO; Troop C; St. Charles County



Kurt A. Schmutzler; Savannah, MO; Troop A; Bates County



Ricky L. Vannada Jr.; Poplar Bluff, MO; Troop E; Dunklin County



Juston R. Wheetley; Puxico, MO; Troop C; St. Francois/Washington Counties



Ryan J. Wilhoit; Holt, MO; Troop H; Andrew/Buchanan Counties



T.J. Williams; Harrisonville, MO; Troop A; Henry County



Tycee M. Williams; Pacific, MO; Troop C; Jefferson County



Curtis B. Wilt; Shelbina, MO; Troop F; Audrain County