MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

TROOP C HEADQUARTERS
891 Technology Drive
Weldon Spring, MO 63304


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Trooper Juston Wheetley
(636) 300-2800 ext. 3334
C2013-039
July 31, 2013

EMPHASIS: Troop C Assigns Thirteen New Troopers


Captain Ronald S. Johnson, commanding officer of Troop C, is pleased to announce the assignment of thirteen new troopers to Troop C. The new troopers were members of the Patrol’s 96th Recruit Class, which graduated on July 12, 2013. The troopers completed 26 weeks of highly intense training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. The new troopers reported to their assignment on July 29, 2013. They are working with a field-training officer for approximately three months before working independently. The new troopers assigned to Troop C and their assignments are as follows:

Trooper Orry R. Baker, 23, a native of Mt. Vernon, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 4, serving South St. Louis County. Trooper Baker is a graduate of Festus High School in Festus, Missouri, and attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Baker worked as a Nuisance Abatement Officer for the Cape Girardeau Police Department.

Trooper Alshon Blunt, 31, a native of Peoria, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 9, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Blunt is a graduate of Roosevelt High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended Fontbonne University in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Blunt worked as an educator for the St. Louis Science Center. He is married to Shelly (Doss).

Trooper Brian C. Clements, 21, a native of Clayton, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 10, serving Franklin County. Trooper Clements is a graduate of Waterloo High School in Waterloo, Illinois, and attended Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Clements worked as an archives aide for the National Personnel Records Center in Valmeyer, Illinois.

Trooper Nathan A. Cockrum, 30, a native of St. Charles, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 19, Lincoln and Pike Counties. Trooper Cockrum is a graduate of Troy Buchanan High School in Troy, Missouri, and attended Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Cockrum worked in field operations for Ericsson in St. Louis, Missouri. He is married to Casey (Brinkley) and the father of Dylan, age 4, and Paige, age 1.

Trooper Mark W. Helund, 23, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 11, Franklin County. Trooper Helund is a graduate of Christian High School in O’Fallon, Missouri, and attended Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked in customer service for Fitness Plus Equipment Services in Wentzville, Missouri. He is married to Amber (Michalski) and the father of Maverick, age 7 months.


Trooper Daniel C. Highley, 23, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 11, Franklin County. Trooper Highley is a graduate of St. John Vianney High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he was a warehouse worker for Dynamic Vending in Hazelwood, Missouri.

Trooper Jacob L. Hutchings, 32, a native of Farmington, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 20, Ste. Genevieve County. Trooper Hutchings is a graduate of Potosi High School in Potosi, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he was a Deputy Sheriff with the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department. Trooper Hutchings is married to Amanda (Pickett) and the father of Jacob Jr., age 11, and Wyatt, age 6,

Trooper Keith W. Kaiser, 26, a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 4, South St. Louis County. Trooper Kaiser is a graduate of Blair Oaks High School in Wardsville, Missouri, and attended University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as a Park Ranger for St. Louis County Parks. He is married to Amie (Mayden) and the father of Audrey, age 2.

Trooper Justin E. Lacy, 32, a native of Kirkwood, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 8, St. Charles County. Trooper Lacy is a graduate of Jefferson City High School in Jefferson City, Missouri, and attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. Prior to becoming a trooper, he was a fingerprint technician for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Trooper Jason T. Lukowski, 31, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 9, St. Charles County. Trooper Lukowski is a graduate of Collinsville High School in Collinsville, Illinois, and attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as an insurance agent for Shelter Insurance.

Trooper Robert J. North, 23, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 13, Jefferson County. Trooper North is a graduate of St. Pius in Festus, Missouri, and attended Jefferson College in Hillsboro, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as a roofer for Hennis Exteriors in Imperial, Missouri.

Trooper Charles L. Pleasant, 24, a native of St. Charles, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 3, South St. Louis County. Trooper Pleasant is a graduate of Ritenour High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as a parking supervisor for University of Missouri Department of Athletics and served as a Military Police Officer for the United States Marine Corps.

Trooper Tiffany L. Woods, 35, a native of Springfield, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 11, Franklin County. Trooper Woods is a graduate of Lutheran High School in Springfield, Illinois, and attended Canisius College in Buffalo, New York.
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