The Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 22, 2023. The 118th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 3, 2023. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 8, 2024.
Lieutenant governor of Missouri Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address. John Whetsel, retired Sheriff of Oklahoma County, OK and retired Chief of Police of Choctaw, OK and Colonel Eric T. Olson addressed the class during the graduation.
The recruits accumulated points toward graduation throughout their 25 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in the categories of academics, firearms, and physical fitness earned the respective award.
The following awards were presented during the graduation ceremony:
-Academics Award: Trooper Dustin Willhite
-Firearms Award: Trooper Jackson Collier
-Physical Fitness Award: Trooper Hunter Hampton
-Superintendent’s Award: Trooper Hunter Hampton
The names (hometowns) and first assignments of members of the 118th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A:
-Trooper Klayton R. Kennedy, Plattsburg, MO, Platte County
-Trooper Corey W. Klotz, Nevada, MO, Bates County
-Trooper Connor W. Norris, Kearney, MO, Clay County
Troop B:
-Trooper Kristopher B. Geren, Fowler, IL, Marion/Ralls Counties
-Trooper Tristen C. Miller, Shelby, MO, Linn/Chariton Counties
Troop C
-Trooper Dalon J. Brown, Hazelwood, MO, North St. Louis County
-Trooper Jackson S. Collier, Farmington, MO, Ste. Genevieve/Perry Counties
-Trooper Brian J. Fessenden, Palmyra, MO, South St. Louis County
-Trooper Justin D. Hedrick, St. Charles, MO, South St. Louis County
-Trooper Dallas R. McKenzie, Quincy, IL, St. Charles County
-Trooper Roan Oosthuizen, Grapevine, TX, St. Charles County
-Trooper Edgar J. Raya, St. Louis, MO, South St. Louis County
-Trooper Ethan G. Talleur, St. Clair, MO, Franklin County
-Trooper Mason K. Wilson, Seneca, MO, St. Charles County
Troop E
-Trooper Brady T. Hart, Puxico, MO, Butler/Ripley Counties
-Trooper Gunner L.R. Meloy, Marble Hill, MO, Butler/Ripley Counties
Troop F
-Trooper Ryan C. Byers, Joplin, MO, Morgan/Moniteau Counties
-Trooper Hunter W. Hampton, Fulton, MO, Cole County
-Trooper Jonathan E. Pinker, Overland Park, KS, Camden/Miller Counties
-Trooper Bailey D. Whetsel, Jones, OK, Cole County
Troop G
-Trooper Chad K. Johnson, Seymour, MO, Texas/Wright Counties
Troop H
-Trooper Robert K. Mott, Mt. Pulaski, IL, Holt/Atchison Counties
Troop I
-Trooper Aaron M. Cunningham, Rolla, MO, Crawford County
-Trooper Kolby J. Estes, Warsaw, MO, Phelps/Maries Counties
-Trooper Dustin R. Willhite, Hartville, MO, Laclede County