NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Trooper Julie A. Scerine 314/340-4028
#C010515
May 17, 2005
EMPHASIS: Troop C Assigns Twelve New Troopers
Captain Ronald S. Johnson, Commanding Officer of Troop C, is pleased to announce the graduation of the Highway Patrol’s 83rd Recruit Class. Among the graduating troopers are twelve new troopers that will be assigned to the Troop C area. The troopers completed 27-weeks of highly intensive training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Missouri. After a commencement ceremony on May 7, 2005, the new troopers will head to their new assignments and begin working with a field training officer for approximately three months before working independently. The new troopers assigned to Troop C and their assignments are as follows:
Trooper Christopher M. Arbuthnot, 27, a native of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 16, serving Perry and Ste. Genevieve Counties. Arbuthnot graduated from Washington High School, in Washington, Missouri and attended Southeast Missouri State University where he earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration in 2001. He was previously employed as a police officer for the city of Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Trooper Joshua R. Breitbach, 30, a native of Dubuque, Iowa, was assigned to Zone 9, serving St. Charles County. Breitbach graduated from Wahlert High School, in Dubuque, Iowa and attended Quincy University where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in Psychology in 1997. He is married with one child.
Trooper Russell R. Gibson Jr., 24, a native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, was assigned to Zone 5, serving Lincoln and Pike Counties. Gibson graduated from Thomas W. Kelly High School, in Benton, Missouri. He is married with two children.
Trooper Tosha N. Green, 26, a native of Paragould, Arkansas, was assigned to Zone 10, Franklin County. Green graduated from Clay County Central, in Rector, Arkansas. She was previously employed as a Communications Officer in Benton, Missouri.
Trooper Shawn M. Griggs, 24, a native of Jefferson City, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 3, serving South St. Louis County. Griggs graduated from Jefferson City High School, in Jefferson City, Missouri and attended Central Methodist University, in Fayette, Missouri where he earned a bachelor of science degree in Criminal Justice in 2004.
Trooper Huntley H. Hoemann II, 35, a native of Washington, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 10, serving Franklin County. Hoemann graduated from Norman High School, in Norman, Oklahoma. He is married and the father of three children.
Trooper Eric R. Kessler, 27, a native of Warrenton, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 8, serving St. Charles County. Kessler graduated from Warren County RIII, Warrenton, Missouri and attended Central Missouri State University, in Warrensburg, Missouri where he earned a bachelors degree in Liberal Studies in 2004.
Trooper Ronald A. Metteer, Jr., 32, a native of Dittmer, Missouri, was assigned to Zone12, serving Jefferson County. Metteer graduated from Fox Senior High School in Arnold, Missouri. He served with the United States Marine Corps in Oceanside, California. Metteer was previously employed as an officer with the California Highway Patrol, in Redwood City, California. Metteer is married with two children.
Trooper Dustin B. Reed, 24, a native of Desloge, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 15, serving St. Francois and Washington Counties. Reed graduated from Central R-III High School, in Park Hills, Missouri and attended Mineral Area College where he earned an associates degree in Criminal Justice in 2001. He was previously employed as a state park ranger in Bonne Terre, Missouri. Reed is married with one child.
Trooper Matthew R. Schmidt, 26, a native of Savannah, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 9, serving St. Charles County. Schmidt graduated from Savannah High School and attended Missouri Western State College in St. Joseph, Missouri earning a bachelors degree in Education in 2001. Schmidt was previously employed as a High School Teacher in Carrollton, Missouri.
Trooper Juston R. Wheetley, 24, a native of Puxico, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 15, serving St. Francois and Washington Counties. Wheetley graduated from Puxico High School and attended Three Rivers Community College in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where he earned an associates degree in Police Science in 2002. Wheetley was previously employed as a patrolman in Advance, Missouri.
Trooper Tycee M. Williams, 27, a native of Pacific, Missouri, was assigned to Zone 3, serving South St. Louis County. Williams graduated from East Prairie High School, in East Prairie, Missouri. He was previously employed by the Missouri Department of Corrections in Pacific, Missouri. Williams is married with two children.