EMPHASIS: 31 New Troopers Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 31 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on June 21, 2019. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The 107th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 2, 2019, to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on July 8, 2019.
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address during the graduation ceremony. Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandra K. Karsten was a special guest speaker and Col. Olson also addressed the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Roger K. McMillian, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to 10 of the new troopers. Troop F Color Guard presented and retired the colors. Trooper Bradley J. Lueckenhoff, Troop D, sang the national anthem. Pastor Chris Lewis, Calvary Baptist Church, Campbell, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.
Four class awards were presented. The recruits accumulate 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 earns the respective award. Trooper Justin D. Howard earned the physical fitness award. Trooper Michael S. Cline earned the firearms award. Trooper Erica Volkart earned the academics award. Trooper Alysha Falterman earned the Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.
The names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 107th Recruit Class are listed below:
Name/Hometown/First Assignment
Robert A. Allee, Shelbina, MO, Troop H, Zone 5, Andrew/Buchanan Counties Andrew D. Baker, St. Louis, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, N. St. Louis County Luke A. Benke, Jefferson City, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, N. St. Louis County Eric R. Besserud, St. Louis, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, N. St. Louis County Brody M. Breedlove, Astoria, IL, Troop C, Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties Troy M. Broyles, Doniphan, MO, Troop A, Zone 5, Ray/Carroll Counties Haven L. Clemons, Lamar, MO, Troop A, Zone 15, Henry County Michael S. Cline. Cameron, MO, Troop H, Zone 7, Caldwell/Clinton Counties Alonzo M. Collins, St. Charles, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, N. St. Louis County Joshua D. Conover, Poplar Bluff, MO, Troop E, Zone 9, Pemiscot/New Madrid Counties Alysha K. Falterman, Licking, MO, Troop G, Zone 4, Carter/Reynolds Counties Brennen S. Floray, Kansas City, MO, Troop A, Zone 4, Clay County Nicholas A. Frazier, Dorsey, IL, Troop E, Zone 4, Cape Girardeau/Scott/Bollinger Counties Cameron S. Geralds, Jackson, MO, Troop C, Zone 16, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties Wes M. Graham, Joplin, MO, Troop A, Zone 12, Johnson County William C. Grose, Sedalia, MO, Troop A, Zone 13, Pettis County Matt A. Harris, Sweet Springs, MO, Troop H, Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties Justin D. Howard, Raymore, MO, Troop A, Zone 6, Jackson County Seth M. Kmetz, Crystal City, MO, Troop C, Zone 12, Jefferson County James P. Lewis, Poplar Bluff, MO, Troop E, Zone 8, Pemiscot/New Madrid Counties Kyle A. McCallister, Monett, MO, Troop H, Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties Logan T. McDaniel, Osage Beach, MO, Troop H, Zone 6, Andrew/Buchanan Counties Daniel A. Norton, Fenton, MO, Troop C, Zone 12, Jefferson County Nicholas T. Ott, Cameron, MO, Troop A, Zone 5, Ray/Carroll Counties Tyler R. Rosa, Labadie, MO, Troop C, Zone 10, Franklin County Jared W. Smith, Lebanon, MO, Troop H, Zone 8, Caldwell/Clinton Counties Travis L. Sullivan. Norwood, MO, Troop C, Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties Zachary D. Thomas, Joliet, IL, Troop A, Zone 4, Clay County Erica P. Volkart, California, MO, Troop A, Zone 10, Saline County Brandon A. Walker, Webb City, MO, Troop A, Zone 8, Lafayette County Kurtis T. Welker, Jonesburg, MO, Troop C, Zone 9, St. Charles County
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