June 29, 2018

EMPHASIS: 26 New Troopers Graduate From Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 26 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on June 29, 2018. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The 105th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 2, 2018, to begin the 25-week training course to become a trooper. The new troopers report for duty in their assigned troops on July 16, 2018.

Governor Michael L. Parson was a special guest speaker at the graduation ceremony, and Colonel Sandra K. Karsten also addressed the class. Brigadier General Gregory Mason, assistant adjutant general, Missouri Army National Guard, provided the keynote address during the graduation ceremony. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Roger K. McMillian, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to 11 of the new troopers. Troop F Color Guard presented and retired the colors. Sgt. John H. Lueckenhoff, Troop D, sang the national anthem. Pastor Gary Dedmon, Diggins Baptist Church, Seymour, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards were presented. 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. Trooper Justice C. Simpson earned the physical fitness award. Trooper Cody A. Groves earned the firearms award. Trooper Kalen Linneman earned the academic award. Trooper Brandon S. Gunby accepted the Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.

Names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 105th Recruit Class are listed below:

Name/Hometown/First Assignment

Troop A

Brandon S. Gunby, Rolla, MO, Troop A, Zone 1, Platte County
Michael J. Owens, Louisburg, MO, Troop A, Zone 10, Saline County
Justin L. Dedmon, Hartville, MO, Troop A, Zone 15, Henry County
Joshua H. Thompson, Cameron, MO, Troop A, Zone 5 Ray/Carroll Counties

Troop C

Zachary T. Micks, O'Fallon, MO, Troop C, Zone 1, N. St. Louis County
George Vargas, Brooklyn, NY, Troop C, Zone 1, N. St. Louis County
David M. Dooley III, Park Hills, MO, Troop C, Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties
Zackery S. Preston, Osage Beach, MO, Troop C, Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties
Quentin H. Hooks, Wentzville, MO, Troop C, Zone 2, N. St. Louis County
Stephen G. Hassell, Hillsboro, MO, Troop C, Zone 20, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties
Jordan R. Brown, Medelia, MN, Troop C, Zone 3, S. St. Louis/Jefferson Counties
Cody A. Groves, Gideon, MO, Troop C, Zone 3, S. St. Louis/Jefferson Counties
Nicholas W. Stevens, Pawnee, IL, Troop C, Zone 4, S. St. Louis/Jefferson Counties

Troop E

Justin C. Johnson, Doniphan, MO, Troop E, Zone 7, Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid Counties
Jared R. Chronister, Cabool, MO, Troop E, Zone 8, Pemiscot/New Madrid Counties
Tyler R. Sappington, Pilot Knob, MO, Troop E, Zone 9, Pemiscot/New Madrid Counties

Troop F

Jacob C. McKinney, Tebbets, MO, Troop F, Zone 15, Callaway County
Kalen Linneman, Huntsville, MO, Troop F, Zone 7, Cooper/Howard Counties
Philipp J. Vroegop, Waynesville, MO, Troop F, Zone 9, Montgomery County

Troop G

Sean D. Goostree, Rocky Comfort, MO, Troop G, Zone 10, N. Howell/Shannon Counties
Justice C. Simpson, Galena, MO, Troop G, Zone 2, Texas County

Troop H

Caleb J. Blue, Monett, MO, Troop H, Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties
Vince P. Wiley, Gallatin, MO, Troop H, Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties
Christopher S. Riley, Warsaw, MO, Troop H, Zone 4, Mercer/Grundy/Livingston Counties
Cedric D. O’Hara, Pierce City, MO, Troop H, Zone 9, Mercer/Grundy/Livingston Counties

Troop I

Eric A. Goans, Lebanon, MO, Troop I, Zone 4, Pulaski County

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