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

Troop I Headquarters, P.O. Box 128, Rolla, Mo 65402


News Release

For further information please contact: Sergeant Dan Crain
573-368-2345
April 4, 2014
I04A14

EMPHASIS: Troop I Announces Transfer And Promotions



Captain Lee Ann H. Kenley, commanding officer of Troop I, is pleased to announce the following transfer and promotions that were effective April 1, 2014.
Sergeant Ronald A. Copeland transferred from Zone 7, Dent County, where he served as the zone commander, to Troop I, Zone 10, where he will serve as a commercial vehicle enforcement trooper. Copeland is a native of Brazito, Missouri, and a 1983 graduate of Cole R-V High School, in Eugene, Missouri. Copeland studied criminal justice while attending the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, Missouri, and Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. Copeland was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1992, and was assigned to Zone 7 upon his graduation from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy. On September 1, 1997, he was promoted to the rank of corporal and designated as the assistant zone commander of Zone 1, which at that time patrolled Phelps and Maries counties. On March 1, 2002, he was promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated as the zone commander of Zone 7. Sergeant Copeland is married to Denise (Curley) Copeland, and they have four children, Emma, Caleb, Cameron, and Zach.
Corporal Robert G. May II, was promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated as the zone commander of Zone 7, Dent County. May is a native of Hutchison, Kansas, and a 1993 graduate of Lawson High School in Lawson, Missouri. May attended the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg, Missouri, where he studied criminal justice. May was appointed to the Missouri State Water Patrol on January 3, 1999. He was promoted to the rank of corporal on August 1, 2008. May became a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol on January 1, 2011, after the merger with the Missouri State Water Patrol. Sergeant May is married to Andrea (Joerding) May, and they have one child, Robert G. May III.
Trooper Bryan S. Silverthorn was promoted to the rank of corporal and designated the assistant zone commander of Zone 11, which is comprised of troopers assigned to marine operations. Silverthorn is a native of Steelville, Missouri, and completed his high school studies while being home schooled. Silverthorn earned associates of arts degrees from both Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri, and Mineral Area College, in Park Hills, Missouri. Silverthorn was appointed to the Patrol on January 6, 2008, and upon his graduation from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, was assigned to Zone 3, Crawford County. Corporal Silverthorn is married to Erin (Hatcher) Silverthorn, and they have two children, Isaac and Isabelle.
In support of “The Drive To Zero Highway Deaths,” the Patrol encourages motorists and watercraft operators to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint and everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!

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