MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Troop D - 3131 East Kearney St., Springfield, MO 65803
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Sergeant Michael McClure
(417) 895-6868
D2023-2
December 5, 2023
EMPHASIS:
Captain D. Scott Sater Announces Promotions
Captain D. Scott Sater, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, is pleased to announce the following promotions effective December 1, 2023.
Trooper Amanda Kahler will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will transfer from Zone 2 to Zone 1, Green County, where she will serve as an assistant zone supervisor. Kahler was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1997 as member of the 74th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, Kahler was assigned to Troop I, Zone 7 serving Dent County. In October 2000, Kahler transferred to Troop D, Zone 16, serving Dallas and Hickory counties. In January 2005, Kahler transferred to Zone 2.
Corporal Kahler is a native of Springfield, Missouri. She graduated from Springfield’s Kickapoo High School in 1994. She received an associate degree from Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri. She is married to Cassie Parker.
Trooper Braiden Vaught will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will remain in Zone 13, Jasper County, as an assistant zone supervisor. Vaught was appointed to the Patrol on January 4, 2015, as a member of the 102nd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, Vaught was assigned to Zone 13, serving Jasper County.
Corporal Vaught is a native of Cassville, Missouri. He graduated from Cassville High School in 2013. He attended and graduated from Missouri Southern State University in 2019. Corporal Vaught is married to Brianna Vaught and together they have two children, Bennett and Brecken.
Trooper Matthew Yendez will be promoted to the rank of corporal and will transfer from Zone 12, Christian County, to Zone 10, Webster County, where he will serve as an assistant zone supervisor. Yendez was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 2013, as a member of the 97th Recruit class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, Yendez was assigned to Troop A. In November 2018, Yendez transferred to Troop D, Zone 9, serving Cedar and St. Clair counties. In November 2019, Yendez transferred to Zone 12, serving Christian County.
Corporal Yendez is a native of Republic, Missouri. He graduated from Republic High School in 2008. He attended and achieved an associate degree from Ozark Technical Community College in Springfield, Missouri in 2012. Corporal Yendez is married to Katie Yendez and together they have two children, Luke and Parker.
Too many people die in traffic crashes each year in Missouri. The choices you make when you’re behind the wheel matter. Make good choices, so you’ll never have to say,
“If I could just go back...”
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