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. John J. Hotz
Q12182015-1 (573) 526-6115

December 18, 2015
EMPHASIS: Patrol Commissions 25 New Troopers

Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 18, 2015. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium at General Headquarters, Jefferson City. The 101st Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 1, 2015. The new troopers will report for duty in their assigned troops on January 4, 2016.

Governor Jay Nixon, Department of Public Safety Director Lane Roberts, and Colonel J. Bret Johnson each addressed the class. The Honorable Judge Douglas D. Gaston, associate circuit judge, Texas County, provided the keynote address during the December 18 graduation ceremony. The Honorable Paul C. Wilson, Missouri Supreme Court, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Gil Kennon, vice president of college affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to five of the new troopers.

Troop F Color Guard color guard presented and retired the colors. Trooper Andrew A. Armstrong sang the national anthem. Minister Cody R. Gregory, Missouri Baptist University, in St. Louis, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards were presented. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their 25 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in each category earned the respective award. Trooper Esteban M. Reynoso earned the physical fitness award. Trooper Dakota L. Nash earned the firearms award. Trooper Chelsey B. Nelson earned the academics award. Trooper Colton J. Beck accepted the Superintendent's Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.


Listed below are the names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 101st Recruit Class:


Name/Hometown/Assignment
Troop A
Douglas J. Jackson, St. Joseph, MO, Zone 14, Bates County
Brian R. Siercks, Kearney, MO, Zone 14, Bates County
Travon C. Smith Sr., Joplin, MO, Zone 14, Bates County
Jared J. Thompson, Warrensburg, MO, Zone 15, Henry County

Troop B
Keegan E. Kindle, Macon, MO, Zone 10, Monroe/Randolph Counties
Jared E. Smith, Salisbury, MO, Zone 3, Chariton/Linn Counties

Troop C
Gary T. Daniels, Kansas City, MO, Zone 3, South St. Louis County
Esteban M. Reynoso, St. Charles, MO, Zone 9, St. Charles County
Adam W. Rush, Bismarck, MO, Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties
Deryk A. Weber, Festus, MO, Zone 13, Jefferson County

Troop D
Colton J. Beck, Ozark, MO, Zone 1, Greene County
Austin M. James, Kearney, MO, Zone 10, Webster County

Troop E
Lee E. Hughes Jr., Arnold, MO, Zone 1, Butler/Ripley Counties
Taremba Karizamimba, Portageville, MO, Zone 6, Mississippi/New Madrid/Scott Counties

Troop F
Christopher R. Gregory, Hannibal, MO, Zone 5, Lake Ozark
Chelsey B. Nelson, Osage Beach, MO, Zone 7, Cooper/Howard Counties

Troop G
Mayela Barron, Anderson, MO, Zone 5, Ozark/Douglas Counties
Dakota L. Nash, Hollister, MO, Zone 6, S. Howell/Oregon Counties
Jared O. Prater, Mt. Vernon, MO, Zone 4, Carter/Reynolds Counties

Troop H
Adam D. Martin, Sweet Springs, MO, Zone 10, Daviess County
Terrell L. Winn, Carrollton, MO, Zone 10, Daviess County

Troop I
Jon-Yves E. Bellers, Jefferson City, MO, Zone 1, Phelps County
Shawn M. Blackston, Auxvasse, MO, Zone 4, Pulaski County
Stephen R. House, Lebanon, MO, Zone 4, Pulaski County
Nicholas W. Summers, Dexter, MO, Zone 2, Phelps County

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