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 Juston Wheetley
(636) 300-2800 ext. 3334
C2017-015
July 10, 2017

EMPHASIS: Twelve New Troopers Assigned To Troop C

Captain Norman A. Murphy, acting commanding officer of Troop C, is pleased to announce 12 new troopers have been assigned to Troop C. The new troopers were members of the Patrol’s 104th Recruit Class, which graduated on June 23, 2017. The troopers completed 25 weeks of intense training at the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. The new troopers reported to their assignments today, July 10, 2017. They will work with a field training officer for approximately three months before working independently. The new troopers’ assignments are as follows:

Trooper Joshua S. Baird, a native of Lamar, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 9, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Baird is a graduate of Lamar High School in Lamar, Missouri. After graduation, he attended Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Baird worked as a commercial vehicle license instructor in Carthage, Missouri. Trooper Baird is married to Taylor (Fanning).

Trooper Joe V. BonDurant, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 2, serving North St. Louis County. Trooper BonDurant is a graduate of Parkway North High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in criminology. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper BonDurant worked as a deputy juvenile officer for Greene County, Missouri.

Trooper Zakkary D. Chapman, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 3, serving South St. Louis and Jefferson counties. Trooper Chapman is a graduate of Northwest High School in Cedar Hill, Missouri. He attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Chapman worked as a deputy sheriff for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.

Trooper Cole W. Cherry, a native of Crystal City, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 12, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Cherry is a graduate of Crystal City High School in Crystal City, Missouri. He attended Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in criminology. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Cherry performed golf course maintenance for RidgePointe County Club in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Trooper Leif A. Dezner, a native of Fayette, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 1, serving North St. Louis County. Trooper Dezner is a graduate of Fayette High School in Fayette, Missouri, and attended Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Missouri. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Dezner served as a military police officer for the United States Army. Trooper Dezner also worked as a material handler for Cardinal Health in Moberly, Missouri. Trooper Dezner is married to Mary (Belcher).

Trooper Blake G. Groves, a native of East Alton, Illinois, has been assigned to Zone 2, serving North St. Louis County. Trooper Groves is a graduate of Roxana Senior High School in Roxana, Illinois. He attended Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Groves worked as a laborer for CD’s Home Renovation in Bethalto, Illinois.

Trooper Joshua L. Hughes, a native of Warrenton, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 9, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Hughes is a graduate of Warrenton High School in Warrenton, Missouri. He attended Linn State Technical College, where he graduated with an associate of applied science degree in diesel technology. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Hughes worked as a diesel technician in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Trooper Bradley J. Lueckenhoff, a native of Cassville, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 14, serving St. Francois and Washington counties. Trooper Lueckenhoff is a graduate of Cassville High School in Cassville, Missouri, and attended Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Lueckenhoff worked as a laborer for All Points Recycling in Cassville, Missouri. Trooper Lueckenhoff in married to Brittany (Mareth).

Trooper Brant W. Masek, a native of Fulton, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 10, serving Franklin County. Trooper Masek is a graduate of Fulton High School in Fulton, Missouri. He attended Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in business leadership. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Masek worked as a security officer for Ameren Missouri in Portland, Missouri.

Trooper Allen D. Neighbors, a native of Unionville, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 19, serving Lincoln and Pike counties. Trooper Neighbors is a graduate of Putnam High School in Unionville, Missouri. He attended Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, Missouri, where he studied criminal justice. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Neighbors worked as a herdsperson for Smithfield Hog Production in Unionville, Missouri. Trooper Neighbors is married to Alexandria (Torbeck).

Trooper Jesse D. Procknow, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been assigned to Zone 3, serving South St. Louis and Jefferson counties. Trooper Procknow is a graduate of Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, Wisconson. He attended St. Louis University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in biology. Trooper Procknow furthered his education at St. Louis University where he received his doctorate in pharmacological and physiological sciences. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Procknow worked as a postdoctoral research associate for Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Trooper Taylor M. Wheeler, a native of Nixa, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 8, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Wheeler is a graduate of Clever High School in Clever, Missouri. He attended Ozarks Technical Community College in Springfield, Missouri, where he received an Associate of Arts. Prior to joining the Patrol, Trooper Wheeler worked as an assistant manager for Andy’s Frozen Custard in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. Trooper Wheeler is married to Sevannaugh (Aquino).
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