For further information please contact: Sergeant Scott E. Meyer
816-622-0800, ext. 259
A070908
July 24, 2009

EMPHASIS: Troop A Promotions

Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee’s Summit, is pleased to announce the following Troop A promotions effective August 1, 2009:
Corporal Norman E. Rodenberg, of Richmond, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and will be designated the zone supervisor of Zone 5, serving Ray and Carroll counties. Rodenberg was appointed to the Patrol in August 1986, and assigned to Troop F, Jefferson City, serving Callaway County. Rodenberg transferred to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, and was assigned to Ray and Carroll counties in May 1990. Rodenberg was promoted to Corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 4, Clay County, in November of 1993. Rodenberg transferred back to Zone 5, Ray and Carroll counties and was assigned as the assistant zone supervisor. Prior to joining the Patrol, Rodenberg attended the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Rodenberg worked for a local farmer, while attending college, and before joining the Highway Patrol. +Sergeant Rodenberg and his wife, Susan, reside in Richmond, with their children; Michael, 21, Aaron, 21, Eric, 18, and Amanda, 16.
Corporal Erik L. Hurst, of Lawson, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and will be designated the zone supervisor of Zone 3, serving Clay County. Hurst was appointed to the Patrol in August 1993, and assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Ray and Carroll counties. Hurst was promoted to the rank of corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 4, Clay County, in March of 2000. Before joining the Patrol, Hurst attended the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, with a minor in psychology. While in the Patrol Academy, Hurst also earned an associate’s degree from the Mineral Area College. He was employed by the Kirksville Police Department before joining the Highway Patrol. Sergeant Hurst and his wife, Theresa, reside in Lawson, with their children; Allison, 10, Hannah, 8, Elaina, 4, Nicholas, 2, and Elizabeth, 1.
Trooper Russell W. Shaul, of Warrensburg, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 12, serving Johnson County. Shaul was appointed to the Patrol in January 1999, and assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Johnson County. Prior to joining the Patrol, Shaul attended the University of Missouri, Columbia, and served six years in the United States Marine Corps. Corporal Shaul and his wife, Peggy, reside in Warrensburg, with their children; Nicole, 16, Andrew, 15, and Adam, 12.
Trooper Mark D. DeGraffenreid, of Sedalia, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 13, serving Pettis County. DeGraffenreid was appointed to the Patrol in October 2002, and assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Pettis County. Prior to joining the Patrol, DeGraffenreid attended Missouri State University, Springfield, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in history and secondary education. DeGraffenreid worked for DeGraffenreid Excavating before joining the Highway patrol. Corporal DeGraffenreid and his wife, Kristin, reside in Sedalia, with their daughter, Ashlyn, 3, and stepdaughter, Alexis Shane, 8.
Trooper Gregory D. Primm, of Liberty, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 4, serving Clay County. Primm was appointed to the Patrol in October 2001, and assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Platte County. In June 2006, Primm transferred to Zone 4, Clay County, and in June 2008, transferred to the Patrol’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Team. Primm attended Missouri Western University, St. Joseph, and Benedictine College, Atchison, Kansas, where he earned an associate’s degree. Corporal Primm and his wife, Amanda, reside in Liberty, with their daughter, Ellie, 3.
Trooper Casey E. Utterback, of Blue Springs, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 6, serving Jackson County. Utterback was appointed to the Patrol in October 2002, and assigned to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, serving Jackson County. Prior to joining the Patrol, Utterback attended Central Methodist College, Fayette, and Moberly Area Community College, Moberly, where he earned an associate’s degree. Utterback was employed by the Mexico Public Safety Department before joining the Highway Patrol. Corporal Utterback and his wife, Nicole, reside in Blue Springs.
Trooper Adam V. Dillon, of Waverly, Missouri, will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will be designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 5, serving Ray and Carroll counties. Dillon was appointed to the Patrol in March 2000, and assigned to Troop B, Macon, serving Clark and Scotland counties. In August 2003, Dillon transferred to Troop A, Lee’s Summit, and was assigned to Ray and Carroll counties. In November 2004, he transferred to Lafayette County. Before joining the Highway Patrol, Dillon was employed with the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville. Corporal Dillon and his wife, Anna, currently reside in Waverly, with their children; Kalyn, 10, Brittany, 9, Jacob, 7, and Amber, 4.
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