Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 31 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, including one from a town and several troopers to be assigned in the KMMO listening area.
A news release says the ceremony is by invitation only due to the coronavirus guidelines; however, it will be made available to the public and the media live via the Patrol’s Facebook page Facebook.com/motrooper. A Facebook page is not required to watch the broadcast, which will go live 10 minutes prior to the graduation.
The graduation ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. The 110th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on August 3, 2020, to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on February 16, 2021.
Four class awards will be presented. The recruits accumulate points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms and academics throughout their time 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.
Troop A
John P. Blinkinsop (Joplin, MO), Zone 5, Ray/Carroll Counties;
Derek M. Bradshaw (St. James, MO), Zone 11, Cass County;
David T. Craig (Nixa, MO), Zone 7, Jackson County;
Michael A. Ebeling (Iberia, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County;
Samuel L. Edwards (Springfield, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County;
Hazen J. Groves (Jefferson City, MO), Zone 15, Henry County;
Matthew J. Hickman (Wheaton, MO), Zone 15, Henry County;
Jackson D. Hood (Springfield, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County; and
Tristen D. Jackson (Sedalia, MO), Zone 10, Saline County.
Troop B
Cole T. Hinshaw (Shelbyville, MO), Zone 6, Clark/Scotland Counties;
Nicholas C. Keller (Philadelphia, MO), Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties; and
Cody J. Snyder (Kirksville, MO), Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties.
Troop C
Kyle G. Barba (Lakewood, CA), Zone 1, North St. Louis County;
Zachariah P. Beckerman (Jackson, MO), Zone 12, Jefferson County;
Thomas W. Brewer (Belle, MO), Zone 13, Jefferson County;
Delandis O. Gillespie (Charleston, MO), Zone 2, North St. Louis County;
Bradley T. Gregory (Jonesburg, MO), Zone 1, North St. Louis County;
Cameron L. Kurtzman (Chesterfield, MO), Zone 12, Jefferson County;
Eric J. McBride (St. Clair, MO), Zone 9, St. Charles County; and
Rudo K. Stone Jr. (Chicago, IL), Zone 2, North St. Louis County.
Troop D
Zachary T. Costley (Lamar, MO), Zone 15, Stone/Taney Counties.
Troop E
John M. Tomaszewski (Sikeston, MO), Zone 10, Dunklin County
Troop F
Andrew M. Gordon (Montgomery City, MO), Zone 4, Audrain County.
Troop G
Landon C. Pruiett (Braggadocio, MO), Zone 6, South Howell/Oregon Counties;
Zachary L. Ricker (Van Buren, MO), Zone 8, Carter/Reynolds Counties; and
William A. Wadlington (Oran, MO), Zone 5, Douglas/Ozark Counties.
Troop H
Samuel S. Base (Coffeyville, KS), Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties;
Benjamin L. Gregory (Jonesburg, MO), Zone 3, Harrison/Gentry Counties;
Cole P. Justice (Smithville, MO), Zone 2, Nodaway/Worth Counties.
Troop I
Keaton P. Hunt (Rolla, MO), Zone 1, Phelps/Maries Counties; and
Alex C. Philipps (Jackson, MO), Zone 4, Pulaski/Maries Counties.