NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Julie A. Scerine
314-340-4028
C010842
July 14, 2008

EMPHASIS: Troop C Assigns 10 New Troopers


Captain Ronald S. Johnson, commanding officer of Troop C, is pleased to recognize the graduation of the Highway Patrol’s 87th Recruit Class. Among the 42 graduating troopers are 10 new troopers who will be assigned to the Troop C area. The troopers completed 27 weeks of highly intense training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, MO. After a commencement ceremony on July 11, 2007, the new troopers will head to their new assignments and begin working with a field training officer for approximately three months before working independently.
Twenty-four of the new troopers received an associate’s of applied science degree from Mineral Area College based on their course work at the Academy. The new troopers assigned to Troop C and their assignments are as follows:
Trooper Mark D. Albright, 34, a native of St. Charles, MO, was assigned to Zone 13, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Albright graduated from Thomas C. Clark High School, in San Antonio, Texas, and attended St. Louis Community College, in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Albright was a police officer with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He is married to Lisa (Weiss) and the father of Sophia, 10, and Alexander, 7.
Trooper Bryan M. Beard, 22, a native of Farmington, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 14, serving St. Francois/Washington counties. Trooper Beard is a graduate of Farmington High School and attended Mineral Area College, in Park Hills, where he earned a degree in criminal justice. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Beard was a dispatcher in Farmington.
Trooper James T. Casper, 28, a native of Peoria, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 13, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Casper is a graduate of Peoria Notre Dame High School, in Peoria, Illinois, and attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement administration.
Trooper Jamey R. Diffee, 23, a native of Robertsville, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 16, serving Perry/Ste. Genevieve counties. Trooper Diffee is a graduate of Mena High School, in Mena, Arkansas, and Central Methodist University, in Fayette, Arkansas, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and criminal justice.
Trooper Chad M. Dollard, 21, a native of Alden, New York, was assigned to Zone 5, serving Lincoln and Pike counties. Trooper Dollard is a graduate of Alden High School in Alden, New York, and attended Genesee Community College in Batavia, New York, where he earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice.
Trooper Joseph D. Flynn, 23, a native of Manchester, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 1, serving North St. Louis County. Trooper Flynn is a graduate of Thayer High School, in Thayer, Missouri. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Flynn was a member of the United States Marine Corps. Trooper Flynn is married to Janie (Scott).
Trooper Mary K. Graham, 28, a native of Dexter, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 13, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Graham is a graduate of Dexter High School and attended Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and the United States Air Force Community College. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Graham was an active duty member of the United States Air Force for seven years, stationed in Denver, Colorado.
Trooper Will C. Haber, 22, a native of Rushville, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 8, serving St. Charles County. Trooper Haber is a graduate of Rushville High School, in Rushville, Illinois, and attended Western Illinois University, in Macomb, Illinois, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement and justice administration.
Trooper Lindsay K. Quinton, 25, a native of St. Louis, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 12, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Quinton is a graduate of Festus High School and attended the University of Missouri, in Columbia, Missouri, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Trooper Larry A. Turner, 40, a native of Alton, Illinois, was assigned to Zone 12, serving Jefferson County. Trooper Turner is a graduate of Civic Memorial High School, in Bethalto, Illinois, and earned a master’s degree in plant molecular biology from Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana. Prior to joining the Highway Patrol, Trooper Turner was employed as a Park Ranger for St. Louis County. Trooper Turner is married to Tracey (Elliott).
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