MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q9272012-1 (573) 526-6115

September 27, 2012
EMPHASIS: Lt. Col. Richard L. Coffey Retires

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the following retirement:

Lieutenant Colonel Richard L. Coffey, assistant superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, will retire effective December 1, 2012, after 36 years of dedicated service to the citizens of this state.

Coffey began his career in 1976 as a fingerprint technician in the Patrol's Criminal Division. On March 1, 1977, Coffey entered the Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy as a member of the 46th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Academy, he was assigned to Troop C, Zone 14, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties. On December 1, 1982, he was assigned to General Headquarters, Jefferson City, as part of the Executive Security Unit, where he provided security for Governors Christopher Bond and John Ashcroft. On August 1, 1985, Coffey was promoted to corporal; on June 1, 1990, he was promoted to sergeant. He transferred to the Public Information and Education Division, General Headquarters, on December 1, 1991, where he was designated assistant director. He transferred to the Research and Development Division on August 1, 1992, as assistant director of that division. Coffey was promoted to lieutenant on June 1, 1994, and assigned to the Division of Drug and Crime Control where he was assistant director. On September 1, 1999, he was promoted to captain and designated director of the Research and Development Division. He was promoted to major and designated commander of the Technical Services Bureau on September 1, 2001. On September 1, 2006, Coffey was promoted to lieutenant colonel and designated assistant superintendent. It is from this position he retires.

Lt. Col. Coffey was born in Clinton, MO. He graduated from Windsor High School, in Windsor, MO, in 1970. In 1974, he earned a bachelor's of science degree in criminal justice administration from Central Missouri State University (now University of Central Missouri) in Warrensburg, MO. Lt. Col. Coffey and his wife, Pam, reside in Jefferson City. Pam is employed as an executive assistant to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster. He and his wife have two sons: Brian, who is employed by a local construction company, and Brad, who is a section director in the Patrol’s Information and Communications Technology Division. Brad and his wife, Amy, have a son named Cameron and a daughter named Carley.

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