MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Troop H Headquarters - 3525 North Belt - St. Joseph, MO 64506
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact: Sgt. Shane M. Hux 816-387-2345 ext. 3847
H101626
October 16, 2026
EMPHASIS: New Troopers Assigned To Troop H
Captain Andrew O. Tourney, commanding officer of Troop H, St. Joseph, is pleased to announce the assignment of three new troopers to Troop H. The new troopers were members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s 126th Recruit Class and graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on October 16, 2026. The new troopers will report for duty in their respective assignments on November 2, 2026.
Trooper Andrew J. Colson, a native of Maysville, MO, has been assigned to Zone 10, which serves the citizens of Daviess and DeKalb counties. Tpr. Colson’s field training officer will be Corporal Dylan W. Wilburn. In 2022, Trooper Colson graduated from Wilson Academy in Savannah, MO, and North Central Missouri College in Trenton, MO, with an Associate of Applied Science and Technology. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Tpr. Colson was employed by Altec in St. Joseph, MO, as an engineer technician. Tpr. Colson is married and has three children.
Trooper Braeden L. Elifrits, a native of Harrisonville, MO, has been assigned to Zone 3, which serves the citizens of Gentry and Harrison counties. Tpr. Elifrits’ field training officer will be Corporal Bryce T. Quiring. Tpr. Elifrits graduated from Harrisonville High School in 2022.
Trooper Andrew D. Hecker, a native of Chillicothe, MO, has been assigned to Zone 2, which serves the citizens of Nodaway and Worth counties. Tpr. Hecker’s field training officer will be Trooper Anthony J. Kempa. Tpr. Hecker graduated from Chillicothe High School in 2024. In 2026, he earned an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at North Central Missouri College in Trenton, MO. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Tpr. Hecker was employed by the Chillicothe Correctional Center as a correctional officer.
Photographs of the new troopers can be found with this news release on the Patrol’s website.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is hiring! The Patrol offers over 60 career paths. For all current openings, visit the Patrol’s online employment application page or to apply for trooper or commercial vehicle officer positions, visit the Patrol’s trooper and commercial vehicle officer recruitment page to apply today.
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