NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Al Nothum
(636) 300-2800
#C010881
01-07-2009

EMPHASIS: Troop C Assigns 13 New Troopers


Captain Ronald S. Johnson, commanding officer of Troop C, is pleased to announce 13 new troopers will be assigned to the Troop C, Weldon Spring, area. The new troopers were members of the Patrol’s 88th Recruit Class, which graduated December 19, 2008. There were 26 troopers in this recruit class. The troopers completed 25 weeks of highly intense training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. The new troopers reported to their assignments on Monday, January 5, 2009. They will be working 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 Phillip J. Brown, 27, a native of Grauette, Arkansas, was assigned to Zone 13, serving St. Francois and Washington counties. Trooper Brown is a graduate of Poplar Bluff High School, and attended the University of Arkansas, in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Brown taught school in Bentonville, Arkansas.

Trooper Matthew R. Cook, 21, a native of Lamar, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 5, serving Lincoln and Pike counties. Trooper Cook is a graduate of Lamar High School, and attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri.

Trooper James C. Cooksey Jr., 37, a native of Dexter, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 20, serving Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties. Trooper Cooksey is a graduate of New Madrid County Central High School, and attended Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Cooksey was a sheriff’s deputy with the New Madrid County Sheriff’s Department. He is married to Heather (Hill) and the father of Amanda, 13, Delaney, 4, and Calleigh, 2.

Trooper Timothy S. Craig, 29, a native of Farmington, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 16, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties. Trooper Craig is a graduate of Potosi High School. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Craig was a sheriff’s deputy with the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department.

Trooper Lee C. Ewigman, 25, a native of Marceline, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 19, Pike and Lincoln counties. Trooper Ewigman is a graduate of Marceline High School, and attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri.

Trooper David M. Kempf, 33, a native of Waynesville, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 10, Franklin County. Trooper Kempf is a graduate of Jackson High School, and attended American Intercontinental University. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Kempf was a police officer with the Branson Police Department. He is married to Tara (Mackey) and the father of Gabriel, 3, and Caleb, 2.

Trooper Jeffery D. Maudlin, 21, a native of Albany, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 1, St. Louis County. Trooper Maudlin is a graduate of Albany High School, and attended North Central Missouri College in Trenton, Missouri.

Trooper Matthew H. Mistler, 22, a native of Washington, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 11, Franklin County. Trooper Mistler is a graduate of Eldon High School, and attended the University of Central Missouri and State Fair Community College.

Trooper Evan D. Phillips, 22, a native of Springfield, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 1, St. Louis County. Trooper Phillips is a graduate of Kickapoo High School, and attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.

Trooper Kimberly D. Roady, 23, a native of Clarksville, Tennessee, was assigned to Zone 2, St. Louis County. Trooper Roady is a graduate of Granite City Senior High School, and attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois.

Trooper James R. Rorie Jr., 23, a native of Springfield, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 12, Jefferson County. Trooper Rorie is a graduate of Republic High School.

Trooper John J. West, 25, a native of Aurora, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 19, Lincoln and Pike counties. Trooper West is a graduate of Greenville High School, and attended Culver-Stockton College in Canton, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper West was on active duty with the United States Army, as an instructor at Fort Bliss, Texas. Trooper West is married to Christy (Jameson) and the father of Ashlyn, 2, and Ariel, 7 months.

Trooper Dustin L. Braynard, 25, a native of West Plains, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 2, St. Louis County. Trooper Braynard is a graduate of West Plains High School, and attended Embry-Riddle University in Prescott, Arizona.














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