MSHP News Release

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

TROOP C HEADQUARTERS
891 Technology Drive
Weldon Spring, MO 63304

NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Corporal Dallas R. Thompson
636-300-2800 ext. 3340
C2024-002
June 21, 2024

EMPHASIS: Troop C Announces Six New Troopers Assigned To Troop C

Captain Kevin W. Malugen, commanding officer of Troop C, Weldon Spring, is pleased to announce the assignment of six new troopers to Troop C. The new troopers were members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 120th Recruit Class and graduated from the Patrol Academy on June 21, 2024. The new troopers from the 120th Recruit Class will report for duty on July 8, 2024.

Trooper Thomas L. Benner, a native of Fenton, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 7, serving the citizens of Warren County. Trooper Benner is a 2018 graduate of Fox High School in Arnold, Missouri. After high school, Trooper Benner attended Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis, Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Science. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Benner worked at Hinten Plumbing in New Haven, Missouri.

Trooper Samuel C. Clair, a native of Marshfield, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 1, serving the citizens of North St. Louis County. Trooper Clair is a 2017 graduate of Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Missouri. In 2020, Trooper Clair joined the United States Army where he served as a military police officer. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Clair worked for the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, in Springfield, Missouri, as a detention officer.

Trooper Kendall L. Goforth, a native of Park Hills, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 16, serving the citizens of Ste. Genevieve and Perry counties. Trooper Goforth is a 2008 Graduate of Park Hills High School, in Park Hills, Missouri. In 2015, Trooper Goforth graduated from Mineral Area College with an associate’s degree in agribusiness. From 2011 until 2017, Trooper Goforth served in the United States Navy as a religious program specialist. From 2017 until 2020, he served in the United States Army as a member of the infantry.

Trooper Ryan A. Lilly, a native of Licking, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 13, serving the citizens of Jefferson County. Trooper Lilly is a 2018 graduate of Licking High School, in Licking, Missouri. After graduation, he attended Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and criminal justice. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, he worked for Ace Hardware in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Trooper Cole A. Richardson, a native of Sullivan, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 13, serving the citizens of Jefferson County. Trooper Richardson is a 2019 graduate of Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Missouri. After graduation, he attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he received a Bachelor of Science in criminology. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, he worked as a shop laborer for Total Building Solutions, in Bourbon, Missouri.

Trooper Thomas A. Stamos, a native of Lebanon, Illinois, has been assigned to Zone 12, serving the citizens of Jefferson County. Trooper Stamos was home schooled and graduated in 2020. After graduation, he attended Southern Illinois College in Belleville, Illinois, where he received an associate’s degree in the administration of justice. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Stamos worked at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office in Union, Missouri, as a detention officer.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol is hiring! The Patrol offers over 60 career paths. For current openings, visit https://bit.ly/MSHPCareers to apply today.

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

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