Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol announces that 29 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law-Enforcement Academy on Friday, July 23. The ceremony took place on the South Lawn of the Missouri State Capitol.

The 111th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on February 1 to begin the 25-week training to become a trooper. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on August 9, 2021.

Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address, and Col. Olson also spoke to the class during the graduation. Missouri Department of Public Safety Deputy Director Kevin Bond also attended the ceremony. The Honorable Patricia Breckenridge, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Provost Roger K. McMillian, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to 17 of the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Sergeant Andrew Henry (H) sang the national anthem. Pastor John Thompson from Life Church in Rolla provided the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards were presented. The recruits accumulated 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 earned the respective award. Trooper Zachary T. Chastain accepted the Physical Fitness Award. Trooper Aaron K. Booker accepted the Academics Award. Trooper Derek R. Peters accepted the Firearms Award. Trooper Eric J. Smith 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 111th Recruit Class are:

Troop A
Aaron K. Booker (Blue Springs, MO), Zone 7, Jackson County; Devan J. Harms (Kansas City, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County; Colten B. Henderson (Spokane, MO), Zone 14, Bates County; Nathaniel J. Medrano (Independence, MO), Zone 12, Johnson County; Derek Peters (Sedalia, MO), Zone 10, Saline County; Ryan K. Stearns (Marshall, MO), Zone 3, Clay County;

Troop B
Ezekiel G. Schieferdecker (Hurdland, MO), Zone 4, Putnam/Sullivan Counties; Eric J. Smith (Hannibal, MO), Zone 7, Lewis/Knox Counties; Elijah N. Stinson (Poplar Bluff, MO), Zone 3, Linn/Chariton Counties;

Troop C
Cyle C. Battreal (Pomona, MO), Zone 16, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties; Dylan H. Bert (Cypress, TX), Zone 8, St. Charles County; Almedin Birdzo (St. Louis, MO), Zone 5, Pike/Lincoln Counties; Collin P. Brown (Ballwin, MO), Zone 11, Franklin County; Zachary T. Chastain (Crane, MO), Zone 10, Franklin County; Raymond M. Dressler (St. Louis, MO), Zone 7, Warren County; Christopher A. Gates (St. Ann, MO), Zone 1, N. St. Louis County Kaleig A. Mitchell (Overland Park, KS), Zone 5, Pike/Lincoln Counties; Matthew Smith (Ballwin, MO), Zone 4, S. St. Louis County; Jeffrey J. Wilt (Shelbina, MO), Zone 14, St. Francois/Washington Counties;

Troop D
Levi H. Crowe (Carthage, MO), Zone 3, Polk County; Joshua T. Martin (Sarcoxie, MO), Zone 13, Newton/McDonald Counties;

Troop E
James E. Williams (Charleston, MO), Zone 6, Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid Counties; David L. McKnight (Sikeston, MO), Zone 7, Scott/Mississippi/New Madrid Counties; Roberto C. Rodriguez Penaflor (Senath, MO), Zone 11, Stoddard County;

Troop F
Samuel L. Ponder (New Bloomfield, MO), Zone 3, Boone County;

Troop G
Kenneth H. Hall (Ellsinore, MO), Zone 8, Carter/Reynolds Counties;

Troop H
Molly H. Gach (St. Joseph, MO), Zone 6, Buchanan/Andrew Counties;

Troop I
Troyjacob E. Ebeling (Rolla, MO), Zone 9, Crawford County Samuel J. Hallam (Joplin, MO), Zone 8, Laclede County.