Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Graydon L. Gaines has been promoted to the rank of Corporal. His new position take effect January 1, 2021, and Graydon will be designated the assistant zone commander of Zone 5 for Adair and Schuyler Counties.

According to MSHP Captain Erik A. Gottman, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, Corporal Gaines was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 2011, and after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, was assigned to Troop B, Zone 10, Randolph and Monroe Counties. In 2013, he transferred to Zone 5, Adair and Schuyler Counties.

Corporal Gaines is a native of Kirksville, Missouri, and graduated from Kirksville High School. Before being appointed to the Patrol, he attended Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. He is currently serving in the Missouri National Guard as the company commander of the 1438th Engineer Company (Multi-Role Bridge Company) out of Macon, Missouri. He is married to Ashley (McDougal) and they have two daughters Mackinlee age 5, and Brynlee age 1.