MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop D - 3131 East Kearney Street - Springfield, MO 65803

NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sgt. Michael P. McClure
864D-425 (417) 895-6868
May 28, 2025

EMPHASIS: Captain Dale Jinkens Announces Troop D Promotions

Captain Dale O. Jinkens, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, is pleased to announce the following promotions effective June 1, 2025:

Corporal Derek Blankenship has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated as the supervisor of Zone 18 - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Trooper (CVET). Blankenship was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 2010, as a member of the 92nd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop I, Zone 2, serving Phelps County. In April 2015, Blankenship transferred to Troop D, Zone 12, serving Christian County. In September 2020, he transferred to Zone 18 as a CVET and was promoted to corporal.

Sergeant Blankenship is a native of Raytown, MO. He graduated from Glendale High School in Springfield, MO, in 1996. He attended and graduated from Ozarks Technical Community College in 2000.

Trooper Justin Choate has been promoted to the rank of corporal and designated an assistant supervisor of Zone 4, serving Stone and Taney counties. Choate was appointed to the Patrol on June 29, 2003, as a member of the 81st Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 11, serving Cass County. In 2006, Choate transferred to Troop I, Zone 5, serving Laclede County. In 2009, he transferred to Troop D, Zone 12, serving Christian County.

Corporal Choate is a native of Marshfield, MO, where he graduated high school. He attended Missouri State University, where he graduated in 2001.

Corporal Timothy Mosley has been promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated as supervisor of Zone 10, serving Webster County. Mosley was appointed to the Patrol on June 29, 2003, as a member of the 81st Recruit Class. After graduating the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop F, Zone 5, serving Camden and Miller counties. In April 2014, Mosley transferred to Troop D, Zone 10. He was promoted to corporal on September 1, 2020.

Sergeant Mosley is a native of Houston, MO, where he graduated high school in 1996.
Trooper Larry L. Ray has been promoted to the rank of corporal and will remain in Zone 18 as a CVET. Ray was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 2008, as a member of the 88th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop D, Zone 6, serving Lawrence and Dade counties. In May 2011, he was assigned to Zone 18 as a CVET.

Corporal Ray is a native of Los Angeles, CA, and moved to Miller, MO, in 1970. He graduated from Miller High School in 1987. He graduated from Missouri Southern Law Enforcement Academy in Joplin, Missouri in 1991. In August of 1997, Ray began his career with the Patrol as a Commercial Vehicle Officer assigned to the Joplin Weigh Station. In 2004, he transferred to a portable scale truck. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is hiring! The Patrol offers over 60 career paths. For all current openings, visit https://bit.ly/MSHPCareers or to apply for trooper or commercial vehicle officer positions, visit www.joinmshp.us to apply today.

For more news, follow the Missouri State Highway Patrol on X @MSHPTrooperD
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