NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Brent J. Bernhardt
(660) 385-2132
B09061
June 1, 2009

EMPHASIS: Retirement Of Sergeant James "Rodney" Applebury


Captain John W. Elliott, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, announces on June 1, 2009, after serving 31 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Sergeant Rodney Applebury retired. Sergeant Applebury began his career with the Patrol on June 1, 1978, and after graduating from the Patrol Academy was first assigned to Troop B and was stationed in Salisbury, Missouri, serving the citizens of Chariton, Linn, and Randolph counties. On July 1, 1981, he was transferred to the Brookfield zone, due to the restructuring of Troop B zones, and continued to live in Salisbury. On June 1, 1990, he was promoted to corporal and served as the assistant zone commander of the Macon zone. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant on September 1, 1994, and was designated the zone commander of Zone 1, which served the citizens of Macon and Shelby counties. On June 1, 1997, Sergeant Applebury was designated as the Troop B pilot and served in that capacity until his retirement.
Sergeant Applebury is a native of Dawn, Missouri, and graduated from Southwest High School. After high school, he attended Missouri Western College in St. Joseph, Missouri, and then later graduated from Truman State University (formerly Northeast Missouri State University) where he attained a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice. He also served with the Missouri National Guard for seven years, and is a graduate of the Northwestern University Traffic Institute.
Sergeant Applebury is married to Andee (Dale), a native of Brookfield, Missouri, and has two children: Derek who lives in Macon, Missouri, and Heather, who lives in Cairo, Missouri. He also has four grandchildren.
During Sergeant Applebury’s career he served as a field training officer, Troop B breathalyzer coordinator, backup pilot, computer (PC) coordinator, and troop exposure control coordinator. He was assigned to numerous details including the Missouri State Fair detail; the University of Missouri football detail; St. Louis, Missouri, Police detail; Olympic Festival detail in St. Louis; the National Governors Association Detail; and several manhunts. He also served as an instructor for several recruit classes, assisting with DWI detection and breathalyzer certification. Sergeant Applebury was also very involved in the Missouri State Troopers Association and served as the Troop B chapter president.



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