A2026-05
May 14, 2026

EMPHASIS: Troop A Announces Promotions

Captain Gregory D. Primm, commanding officer of Troop A, Lee's Summit, announces the following promotions effective May 16, 2026.

Corporal Christopher R. Blackmon will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated the zone commander for Zone 12, serving citizens of Johnson County. Blackmon was appointed to the Patrol on October 20, 2002, as a member of the 80th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 6, serving Jackson County. In October 2007, he was selected as a member of the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers Unit assigned to Troop A. In August 2008, he transferred back to Zone 6. Blackmon was promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 3, Clay County on August 1, 2010. In May 2013, he transferred to Zone 12, Johnson County, as the assistant zone supervisor, where he remained until his promotion.

Sergeant Blackmon was born in Independence, MO. He graduated from Fort Osage High School, in 1998. Before joining the Patrol, he attended the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg, MO.

Corporal R. Christopher West will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated the zone commander of Zone 15, serving the citizens of Henry County. West was appointed to the Patrol on January 16, 2001, as part of the 78th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 15, Henry County. On September 1, 2013, West was promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 15, where he remained until his promotion.

Sergeant West is from Ash Grove, MO, and graduated from Ash Grove High School in 1992. Before joining the Patrol, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Missouri Southern State College in Joplin, MO. Sgt. West is married and has two children.

Corporal Walter J. Luzenko will be promoted to the rank of sergeant and designated the zone supervisor of Zone 14, serving the citizens of Bates and Cass Counties. Luzenko was appointed to the Patrol on January 3, 2011, as a member of the 93rd Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop C, Zone 9, St. Charles County. On November 1, 2014, Luzenko transferred to Troop A, Zone 7, Jackson County. Luzenko was promoted to corporal on July 1, 2021, and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 11, Cass County, where he remained until his promotion.

Sergeant Luzenko was born in Boca Raton, FL. He graduated from Boca Christian Highschool in Boca Raton, FL, in 2006. Before joining the Patrol, he attended Missouri State University, where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in criminology and sociology in 2010. Sgt. Luzenko is currently a member of the Troop A Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team as a crisis negotiator. Sgt. Luzenko is married and has three children.

Photos of Sgt. Blackmon, Sgt. West, and Sgt. Luzenko are attached to this news release on the Patrol’s website.

Blackmon_Christopher R.JPGWest_Robert C.JPGLuzenko_Walter J.JPG

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