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

Troop A - 504 SE Blue Parkway - Lee' Summit, MO 64063


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Bill Lowe
(816) 622-0800
A2015-29
August 31, 2015

EMPHASIS: Troop A Announces Promotions

Captain Scott A. Shipers, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, announces the following promotions effective September 1, 2015.

Sergeant Stephen A. Coats will be promoted to the rank of lieutenant. Lieutenant Coats was appointed to the Patrol in July 1996, as a member of the 72nd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A serving Platte County. In May 2002 he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 12, serving Johnson County. On November 2010, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 7, serving Jackson County. Coats was born in Flint, Michigan, but grew up in West Plains, Missouri, where he graduated from West Plains High School. After high school, he attended the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. Lieutenant Coats and his wife, Sarah, have two daughters.

Corporal J. Derek Ogden will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and will transfer from Zone 5, Ray and Carroll counties, to Zone 2, serving Platte County. He will be designated the zone supervisor of Zone 2. Sergeant Ogden was appointed to the Patrol in October 2004, as a member of the 83rd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Henry County. He was promoted to corporal in July 2010, and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 5, serving Ray and Carroll counties. Ogden is a native of Gainesville, Missouri, and a graduate of Gainesville High School. After high school, he attended the University of Central Missouri, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. Sergeant Ogden and his wife, Sandi, have a daughter.

Corporal Ryan S. Smith will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and will transfer from Zone 13, Pettis County, to Zone 7, serving Jackson County. He will be designated the zone supervisor of Zone 7. Sergeant Smith was appointed to the Patrol in January 2001, as a member of the 82nd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop B, Macon, serving Adair and Schuyler counties. In 2006, Smith transferred to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Saline County, before transferring to Pettis County the same year. In 2011, he was promoted to corporal, designated as the assistant zone supervisor, and remained in Pettis County. Smith is a native of Sedalia, Missouri, and a graduate of Smith-Cotton High School. After graduating high school, he attended State Fair Community College and the University of Central Missouri. Smith earned an associate of arts degree in criminal justice from Mineral Area College. Sergeant Smith and his wife, Lindsey, have two daughters.

Trooper David A. Jones will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 14, serving Bates County. Jones was appointed to the Patrol in July 2010, as a member of the 92nd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, serving Bates County. He is a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, and a graduate of Helias High School. After graduating high school, he attended Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri. Corporal Jones and his wife, Brianne, have three children.

Trooper Brandon M. Parker will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will transfer from Zone 15, Henry County, to Zone 10, serving Saline County. He will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 10. Parker was appointed to the Patrol in February 2010, as a member of the 91st Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, serving Henry County. He is a native of Harrison, Arkansas, and a graduate of Spirit Lake High School, in Spirit Lake, Iowa. After graduating from high school, he obtained an associate of arts degree from Ozarks Technical Community College. He also attended Missouri State University, where he earned a bachelor of science degree in criminology and sociology.

Trooper Spencer D. Galaska will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 6, serving Jackson County. Galaska was appointed to the Patrol in July 2010, as a member of the 92nd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, serving Jackson County. He was born in Waukegan, Illinois, but grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he graduated from Farragut High School. Galaska earned an associate of arts degree in criminal justice from Mineral Area College. Corporal Galaska and his wife, Katelyn, have two children.

Trooper Aaron S. Craig will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 5, serving Ray and Carroll counties. Craig was appointed to the Patrol in January 2008, as a member of the 87th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A serving Pettis County and eventually transferring to Benton County. Craig is a native of Cole Camp, Missouri, and a graduate of Cole Camp High School. Craig earned an associate of arts degree in criminal justice from Mineral Area College. Corporal Craig and his wife, Jessica, have three daughters.

Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive To Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!
(###)