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

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


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Collin Stosberg
(816) 622-0800 ext. 3149
A2014-18
May 20, 2014

EMPHASIS: Troop A Announces Promotions


Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee's Summit, announces the following promotions for Troop A:

Effective May 1, 2014, Matthew B. Koch was promoted to the rank of sergeant and has transferred from Zone 1, Platte County, to Zone 10, serving Saline County. He has been designated the zone commander of Zone 10. Koch was appointed to the Patrol on June 29, 2003, as a member of the 81st Recruit Class. He was born in Creve Coeur, MO, and graduated from Springfield-Kickapoo High School, in Springfield, MO, in 1995. Koch earned a bachelor's of science degree in criminal justice and public administration from Central Methodist University, in Fayette, MO, in 1999. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Lee's Summit, serving Clay County. In 2009, he was promoted to corporal, serving in Platte County. Koch was employed by the former Missouri State Water Patrol before joining the Highway Patrol. Sergeant Koch and his wife, Destiny (Miller), have two sons, Gavin, 5, and Landon, 2.

Effective May 1, 2014, Trooper Ryan J. Wilhoit will be promoted to the rank of corporal and designated the assistant zone commander of Zone 1, serving Platte County. Wilhoit was born in Smithville, MO. In 2000, he graduated from North Kansas City High School, in North Kansas City, MO. In 2004, Wilhoit earned a bachelor's of science degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg, MO. Wilhoit was appointed to the Patrol on October 17, 2004, as a member of the 83rd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop H, St. Joseph, serving in Buchanan and Andrew counties. In 2007, Wilhoit transferred to Troop A, Lee's Summit, and was assigned to Zone 3, Clay County. Corporal Wilhoit is married to Stephanie (Peters), and they have one son, Jack, 1.

(Photographs available upon request.)

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