Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces 31 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law-Enforcement Academy on December 20. The public is invited to attend the ceremony at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium.
A news release says the 108th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 1 to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 6, 2020.
Some recruits either are from or will be assigned to work in the KMMO listening area. They include: Easton R. Corcoran, of Springfield, who will be assigned to Troop F, Zone 7, Cooper and Howard Counties; James Crewse, of Branson, will be assigned to Troop A, Saline County; Michael Frazier-Hires, of Sedalia, will be assigned to Troop C, Zone 4, South St. Louis County; Olivia G. Imhoff, of Boonville, who will be assigned to Troop F, Zone 9, Montgomery County; and Shelby W. Wulser, of Concordia, will be assigned to Zone C, Zone 1, North St. Louis County.
Mike Kelly, the Voice of Mizzou, will provide the keynote address during the graduation ceremony. Missouri Department of Public Safety Director Sandra K. Karsten is a special guest speaker and Col. Olson also will address the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Supreme Court of Missouri, will administer the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Roger K. McMillian, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, will confer an associate of applied science degree to 10 of the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard will present and retire the colors. Sergeant Andrew A. Henry, Troop H, will sing the national anthem. Pastor Crystal Karr from the United Methodist Church in Maysville will provide the invocation and benediction.
Four class awards will be presented. The recruits accumulate 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 earns the respective award. Award categories include physical fitness, firearms, academics, and the Superintendent’s Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.