MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Troop A - 504 SE Blue Parkway - Lee's Summit, MO 64083
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Sgt. Bill Lowe
(816) 622-0800 ext. 3159
A2021-2
January 20, 2021
EMPHASIS:
Nine New Troopers Assigned To Troop A
Captain Scott A. Shipers, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, is pleased to announce the assignment of nine new troopers within the Troop A area. The new troopers were members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 110th Recruit Class that graduated from the Patrol Academy on January 20, 2021. The new troopers will report for duty, in their respective assignments, on February 16, 2021.
Trooper John P. Blinkinsop, a native of Greenfield, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 5, which serves the citizens of Ray and Carroll counties. Trooper Blinkinsop graduated from Greenfield High School in Greenfield, Missouri. Prior to his appointment with the Patrol, he attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. He is currently serving in the Missouri Army National Guard. Trooper Blinkinsop is married to Sofia (Avila).
Trooper David T. Craig, a native of Nixa, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 7, which serves the citizens of Jackson County. Trooper Craig graduated from Nixa High School in Nixa, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Trooper Craig is married to Samantha (Brown) and they have two children.
Trooper Tristen D. Jackson, a native of Sedalia, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 10, which serves the citizens of Saline County. Trooper Jackson graduated from Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, Missouri. He holds an associate of arts in criminal justice from State Fair Community College in Sedalia, Missouri.
Trooper Derek M. Bradshaw, a native of St. James, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 11, which serves the citizens of Cass County. Trooper Bradshaw graduated from St. James High School in St. James, Missouri. Prior to his appointment to the Patrol, Trooper Bradshaw began serving in the Missouri Army National Guard.
Trooper Michael A. Ebeling, a native of Green Ridge, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 12, which serves the citizens of Johnson County. Trooper Ebeling graduated from Green Ridge High School in Green Ridge, Missouri. Prior to his appointment to the Patrol he served in the United States Marine Corps. Trooper Ebeling has one child.
Trooper Samuel L. Edwards, a native of Springfield, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 12, which serves the citizens of Johnson County. Trooper Edwards graduated from Willard High School in Willard, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science in criminology from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
Trooper Jackson D. Hood, a native of Springfield, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 12, which serves the citizens of Johnson County. Trooper Hood graduated from Parkview High School in Springfield, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science in wildlife biology from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.
Trooper Hazen J. Groves, a native of Belleville, Illinois, has been assigned to Zone 15, which serves the citizens of Henry County. He is a homeschool graduate from Belleville, Illinois. He holds an associate of arts in history from Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois.
Trooper Matthew J. Hickman, a native of Wheaton, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 15, which serves the citizens of Henry County. He graduated from Wheaton High School in Wheaton, Missouri. He holds a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri.
Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you are behind the wheel matter! Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say, “If I could just go back ...”
Follow Troop A on Twitter for the most current information: @MSHPTrooperA
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