Q12192025
December 19, 2025

EMPHASIS: 25 New Troopers Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy

Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 19, 2025. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at the Patrol Academy’s gymnasium. The 124th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 1, 2025. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 5, 2026.

The Honorable Robin Ransom, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Missouri Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger provided the keynote address, and Colonel Turner also addressed the class. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Sergeant Andrew A. Henry (H) performed the national anthem. Pastor Ken Harland, Clover Road Christian Church, provided the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards were presented during the graduation ceremony. The recruits accumulated 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 earned the respective award. The recruit with the highest number of points overall earned the Superintendent’s Award. Trooper Blake T. Cook accepted the Physical Fitness Award; Trooper Miles A. Hayden accepted the Firearms Trophy; and Trooper Tyler S. Lutjen accepted the Academics Award. Colonel Turner presented the Colonel C. E. “Mel” Fisher Superintendent’s Award to Trooper Jordan N. Schafer.

The names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 124th Recruit Class are listed below:

Troop A

Trooper Tyler S. Lutjen (Clinton, MO) - Zone 11, Cass County

Trooper Caleb C. Venegoni (Miami, OK) - Zone 14, Bates County

Troop B

Trooper Miles A. Hayden (Zionsville, IN) - Zone 11, Randolph and Monroe Counties

Trooper Jordan N. Schafer (Hannibal, MO) - Zone 10, Randolph and Monroe Counties

Trooper Caden M. Wilson (Provo, UT) - Zone 6, Clark and Scotland Counties

Troop C

Trooper Timonthy G. Busse (Potosi, MO) - Zone 14, St. Francois and Washington Counties

Trooper Brady R. Cook (Farmington, MO) - Zone 1, North St. Louis County

Trooper Nicholas A. Konopelski (St. Peters, MO) - Zone 8, St. Charles County

Trooper Brenna C. Langenberg (New Haven, MO) - Zone 10, Franklin County

Troop D

Trooper Kyle J. Atkisson (Grovespring, MO)- Zone 16, Hickory and Dallas Counties

Trooper Blake T. Cook (Farmington, MO) - Zone 10, Webster County

Trooper Nels C. Fry (Waynesville, MO) - Zone 3, Polk County

Trooper Eric S. Leek (Carthage, MO) - Zone 14, Barry County

Troop E

Trooper Grant D. Miller (Piedmont, MO) - Zone 11, Stoddard County

Trooper Matthew J. Schroeder (Doniphan, MO) - Zone 7, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties

Trooper Nikolas S. Smith (Senath, MO) - Zone 8, New Madrid and Pemiscot Counties

Trooper Zachary G. Thren (Tell City, IN) - Zone 7, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties

Troop F

Trooper Jace H. Adams (Hannibal, MO) - Zone 7, Cooper and Howard Counties

Troop G

Trooper Adam C. White (Battlefield, MO) - Zone 5, Douglas and Ozark Counties

Troop H

Trooper Matthew J. Dorrell (Marceline, MO) - Zone 4, Grundy, Mercer, and Livingston Counties

Trooper Delaney K. Dunklin (Norborne, MO) - Zone 7, Clinton and Caldwell Counties

Trooper Noah M. Newland (Queen City, MO) - Zone 2, Nodaway and Worth Counties

Trooper Lucas N. Reynolds (Chillicothe, MO) - Zone 4, Grundy, Mercer, and Livingston Counties

Trooper Raul Hernandez (Marshall, MO) - Zone 10, Daviess and DeKalb Counties

Troop I

Trooper Thomas A. Kneuper (Rolla, MO) - Zone 6, Pulaski County