For further information please contact: Sgt. Bill Lowe
(816) 622-0800 ext. 273
A2011-23
May 17, 2011

EMPHASIS: Captain Powell Announces Promotions

Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A Lee’s Summit, announces the following promotions were effective May 1, 2011.

Corporal Christopher M. Gach has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated the zone supervisor of Zone 14, serving Bates County. Gach was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1996, as a member of the 71st Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, he was originally assigned to Troop H, St. Joseph, before transferring to Troop A Lee’s Summit, serving Bates County. On June 1, 2001 he was promoted to the rank of corporal in Bates County.

Gach was born in Jacksonville, FL. He graduated from Bishop LeBlond High School, in St. Joseph, MO. He earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Missouri Western University, in St. Joseph, in 1994. Sergeant Gach is married to Misty Jennings and they have two children: daughters Shelby, 6, and Sydney, 2.

Trooper Ryan S. Smith has been promoted to the rank of corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 13, serving Pettis County. Smith was appointed to the Patrol on January 18, 2004, as a member of the 82nd Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, he was assigned to Troop B, Macon, serving Schuyler and Adair counties. He transferred to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, on May 1, 2006, serving Saline County and in November 2006, Smith transferred to Pettis County.

Smith was born in Sedalia, MO, and graduated from Smith-Cotton High School, in Sedalia. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from State Fair Community College in 2003 and attended the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg, MO. Corporal Smith is married to Lindsey Limbaugh and they have a two month old daughter, Olivia.

Trooper Matthew P. Fisher has been promoted to the rank of corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 4, serving Clay County. Fisher was appointed to the Patrol on October 17, 2004, as a member of the 83rd Recruit Class. Upon graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, he was assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Ray and Carroll counties and subsequently transferred to Clay County on September 1, 2008.

Fisher was born in Valparaiso, IN and graduated from Portage High School, in Portage, IN. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Pensacola Christian College, in Pensacola, FL, in 2004. Corporal Fisher is married to Sophia Banks, and they have three children: sons Troy, 3, Theodore, 2, and Titus, 5 months.
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