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: Corporal Juston Wheetley
(636) 300-2800 ext. 3334
C2014-48
December 22, 2014

EMPHASIS: Nine New Troopers Assigned To Troop C

Captain Ronald S. Johnson, commanding officer of Troop C, is pleased to announce nine new troopers have been assigned to Troop C. The new troopers were members of the Patrol’s 99th Recruit Class, which graduated on December 19, 2014. The troopers completed 26 weeks of highly intense training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. The new troopers will report to their assignments on January 5, 2015. They will work 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 Kyle E. Alcorn, 26, a native of Annapolis, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 20, serving Ste. Genevieve and Perry Counties. Trooper Alcorn is a graduate of South Iron High School in Annapolis, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Alcorn worked as a Police Officer for the Poplar Bluff Police Department.

Trooper Kenneth R. Bechaud, 26, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 9, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Bechaud is a graduate of Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, Missouri, and the University of Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Bechaud worked as a Security Guard for Securitas in Chesterfield, Missouri and currently serves as an active member in the Army National Guard. He is married to Kim (Richardson).

Trooper Austin G. Darnell, 21, a native of Villa Ridge, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 3, serving South St. Louis and Jefferson Counties. Trooper Darnell is a graduate of Pacific High School in Pacific, Missouri, and he attended Hannibal - LaGrange University in Hannibal, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Darnell worked as a Life Guard for the YMCA in Hannibal, Missouri.

Trooper Michael K. Halim, 36, a native of Owensville, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 11, serving Franklin County. Trooper Halim is a graduate of Owensville High School in Owensville, Missouri, and the University of Missouri in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Halim worked as a teacher for the Jefferson County R-7 School District.

Trooper Gregory A. Jackson, 24, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 2, serving North St. Louis County. Trooper Jackson is a graduate of Hazelwood Central High School in Florissant, Missouri, and Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Jackson worked as a Security Guard for Monsanto in St. Louis, Missouri.

Trooper Brian J. Magnan, 28, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 13, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Magnan is a graduate of Bishop DuBourg High School in St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Louis Community College in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as an Accountant for Croghan & Croghan P.C., in Kirkwood, Missouri.

Trooper Jonathan W. Pengress, 25, a native of Carbondale, Illinois, has been assigned to Zone 12, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Pengress is a graduate of Anna-Jonesboro Community High School in Anna, Illinois and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as an Accountant for the Union County Court House in Jonesboro, Illinois

Trooper Scott T. Roettger, 25, a native of Festus, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 4, serving South St. Louis and Jefferson Counties. Trooper Roettger is a graduate of St. Pius High School in Festus, Missouri, and Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he worked as a Public Safety Officer for Saint Louis University.

Trooper Travis N. Ziegler, 25, a native of Joliet, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 8, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Ziegler is a graduate of Plainfield South High School in Plainfield, Illinois, and he attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, he was a driver for Dominos in Joliet, Illinois. Trooper Ziegler is engaged to Meagan O’Connor.
(###)