Highway Patrol

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Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 10 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, April 29, 2022. The ceremony took place in the Academy gymnasium, 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO, and live streamed on the Patrol’s Facebook page. The 114th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 18, 2022. This was the Patrol’s first accelerated recruit class. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on May 9, 2022.
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address and Col. Olson addressed the class during the graduation. The Honorable Robin Ransom, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Sergeant Andrew A. Henry, Troop H, sang the national anthem. Trooper Peter D. Hummel, class chaplain, 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 15 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in each category earned the respective award. Trooper Isaiah S. Lemasters accepted the Physical Fitness Award. Trooper Peter D. Hummel accepted the Academics Award. Trooper Orrin D. Hawkins accepted the Firearms Award. Trooper Chase A. Fox accepted the Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.
The names (hometowns) and first assignments of members of the 114th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop B
Peter D. Hummel (Quincy, IL), Marion/Ralls Counties
Tj A. Willock (Colchester, IL), Macon/Shelby Counties
Troop C
Jake R. Stombaugh (Taylorville, IL), Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties
Troop E
Orrin D. Hawkins (Fredericktown, MO), Bollinger/Cape Girardeau/Scott Counties
Troop F
Stephen W. Bean (Denton, TX), Boone County
Chase A. Fox (Baylis, IL), Boone County
Isaiah S. Lemasters (Middletown, MO), Montgomery County
Casey A. Marks (Eldon, MO), Camden County
Troop H
Sean P. Gomez (King City, MO), Buchanan/Andrew Counties
Troop I
Eric Walker (Lebanon, MO), Phelps/Maries Counties
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Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, congratulates the following employees who were recognized for their actions at the awards ceremony April 29, 2022. This year's award ceremony took place at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO.
"I want to congratulate the award winners and recognize that they went above and beyond what is expected of them," said Col. Olson. "It is truly an honor to serve as the superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol."
The Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Public Service recognizes a civilian employee who has been actively involved in public service whether performed on or off the job.
Communications Operator III Melanie A. Stallsworth, Troop H
The Patrol’s Lifesaving Award is presented to an active or retired employee who is distinguished by saving the life of another person. We are presenting 22 Lifesaving Awards for actions taken in 2021.
Communications Operator III Lori L. Wood, Troop G
Commercial Vehicle Officer I Travis A. Morris, Troop F
Trooper Kara R. Dinwiddie, Troop F
Trooper Brian J. Geier, Troop F
Corporal Alex J. Shibley, Trooper Thadeus E. McVeigh, and Trooper Jeffrey J. Wilt, Troop C
Trooper Jared O. Prater, Troop D
Trooper James A. Rowe, Troop E
Trooper Erica P. Volkart, Troop F
Sergeant Charles W. Hoff, Q/WPD, Corporal Dean A. Bartlett, Troop F, Corporal Billy V. Cole, Troop A, and Corporal Adam D. Smith, Troop C
Corporal Dylan L. DeJournett, Troop E
Corporal Kyle E. Easley, Troop B
Corporal Kaleb F. Jeffers, Troop H
Sergeant Kurt A. Schmutzler and Corporal Bradley E. Maudlin, both Troop H
Corporal Dale R. Reuter, Troop H
Corporal Bryan H. Salmons, Troop F
Sergeant David B. Haggett, Q/RCOD
Sergeant Philip D. Hoffman, Q/GD
The Meritorious Service Award is presented to employees for exemplary service who performed beyond the call of duty in unusual circumstances.
Corporal Andrew J. Mayer, Troop C
Every year, a civilian of the year is chosen. The 2021 Matilda "Tillie" Sonnen Civilian Of The Year is Criminal Intelligence Analyst Jesse L. McDow, Q/MIAC.
Criminal Intelligence Analyst Jesse L. McDow, Q/MIAC
Every year, an officer of the year is chosen. The 2021 Benjamin Oliver Booth Officer Of The Year is Corporal Evan L. Tyrrell, Q/DDCC.
Corporal Evan L. Tyrrell, Q/DDCC
The Valor Award is presented to an employee who performs an extraordinary act of heroism in a situation involving considerable danger to the employee and the possibility of injury or death to citizens or other officers.
Trooper Zachary D. Davidson and Trooper Tanner L. Wallace, both Troop A
Sergeant Ryan S. Smith, Troop A, Then-Trooper Bryan Montgomery
Trooper Colton J. Beck, Troop D
The Purple Heart Award may be presented to any employee who, under honorable conditions and in the lawful performance of duties, is wounded or injured. This award provides recognition in those extraordinary cases that result in an employee suffering permanent disfigurement, permanent impairment of health, or extremely serious injury requiring considerable loss of time from duty. This evening, we are presenting two Purple Heart Awards.
Trooper Colton J. Beck, Troop D
Trooper Cory M. Stauffer, Troop I