EMPHASIS: 27 New Troopers To Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy

Lieutenant Colonel Eric T. Olson, acting superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 27 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on December 21, 2018. The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The 106th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 2, 2018, to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 7, 2019.

Governor Michael L. Parson will provide the keynote address during the graduation ceremony. Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandra K. Karsten is a special guest speaker and Lt. Col. Eric T. Olson will also address the class. The Honorable Roy L. Richter, Missouri Court of Appeals-Eastern District, will administer the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Roger K. McMillian, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, will confer an associate of applied science degree to 16 of the new troopers. Troop F Color Guard will present and retire the colors. Trooper Orry R. Baker, Troop C, will sing the national anthem. Minister Eric Bridges, Delray Christian Church, Delray, WV, will provide the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards will be 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. Award categories include physical fitness, firearms, academics, and 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 106th Recruit Class are listed below:

Name/Hometown/First Assignment

Chase Adkison, Kearney, MO, Troop A, Zone 4, Clay County
Jonathan R. Atherton, Fayette, MO, Troop A, Zone 15, Henry County
David A. Beck, Scott City, MO, Troop E, Zone 7, Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid Counties
Blaine C. Bridges, Sullivan, MO, Troop C, Zone 4, South St. Louis/Jefferson Counties
Skylar T. Bruenger, West Point, IL, Troop C, Zone 9, St. Charles County
Zachary D. Davidson, Harrisonville, MO, Troop A, Zone 6, Jackson County
Brandon S. Fahnestock, Kansas City, KS, Troop A, Zone 12, Johnson County
Garrett L. Hendrix, Poplar Bluff, MO, Troop E, Zone 2, Butler/Ripley Counties
Jacob H. Hirner, New London, MO, Troop H, Zone 6, Andrew/Buchanan Counties
Duncan Hughes, Jefferson City, MO, Troop H, Zone 5, Andrew/Buchanan Counties
Jacob S. Huskey, Crestwood, MO, Troop C, Zone 3, South St. Louis/Jefferson Counties
Gavin C. Leach, Owensville, MO, Troop I, Zone 3, Crawford County
Taylor K. Leftwich, Palmyra, MO, Troop A, Zone 5, Ray/Carroll Counties
Robert A. Martinez, Hartsburg, MO, Troop A, Zone 8, Lafayette County
Michael T. McCoy, Jefferson City, MO, Troop C, Zone 4, South St. Louis/Jefferson Counties
Casey M. McDonald, Blue Springs, MO, Troop A, Zone 3, Clay County
Caleb M. Morgan, Piedmont, MO, Troop E, Zone 1, Butler/Ripley Counties
Tyler A. Pierson, Rushville, MO, Troop H, Zone 6, Andrew/Buchanan Counties
Bryce T. Quiring, Chillicothe, MO, Troop H, Zone 7, Clinton/Caldwell Counties
Thomas A. Reents, Lichfield, IL, Troop C, Zone 9, St. Charles County
Randall W. Rosenthal, Conway, MO, Troop A, Zone 16, Benton County
Austin L. Royster, Monett, MO, Troop A, Zone 12, Johnson County
Tristan M. Royster, Carthage, MO, Troop H, Zone 8, Clinton/Caldwell Counties
Tyler J. Straatmann, Villa Ridge, MO, Troop C, Zone 3, South St. Louis/Jefferson Counties
Dillan A. Vandeven, Dexter, MO, Troop C, Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties
Nathan L. Vines, Rogersville, MO, Troop I, Zone 8, Laclede County
Dylon M. Wyatt, Perryville, MO, Troop C, Zone 16, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties

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