Jefferson City, MO. – Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 19 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Thursday, December 22, 2022. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium, 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO. The graduation ceremony will be live streamed on the Patrol’s Facebook page. The 115th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 5, 2022. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 9, 2023.
The Honorable Mike Kehoe, lieutenant governor of Missouri, will provide the keynote address. Director Sandra K. Karsten, Missouri Department of Public Safety, and Colonel Eric T. Olson also will address the class during the graduation. The Honorable Patricia Breckenridge, Supreme Court of Missouri, will administer the Oath of Office to the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard will present the colors and Bear Brass – 135th Army Band, Missouri Army National Guard, will perform the national anthem. Pastor Donald Carson, First Church of God, St. James, MO, will provide the invocation and benediction.
Four class awards will be presented during the graduation ceremony. 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 will earn the respective award.
The names (hometowns) and first assignments of members of the 115th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A
Hunolt, Alexander C., Rutledge, MO, Zone 5, Ray/Carroll Counties
O’Hara, Colten J., Pierce City, MO, Zone 9, Lafayette County
Williams, Ty R., Granby, MO, Zone 15, Henry County
Troop B
Billings, Jorden R., Bowling Green, Zone 3, Linn/Chariton Counties
Munch, Carter L., Hannibal, MO, Zone 3, Linn/Chariton Counties
Troop C
Ashley, Michael J., Jefferson City, MO, Zone 8, St. Charles County
Carson, Lyndon T., Kirkwood, MO, Zone 2, North St. Louis County
Kelly, Melissa L., Greenville, IL, Zone 8, St. Charles County
O’Sullivan, Timothy J., Imperial, MO, Zone 2, North St. Louis County
Roberts, Benjamin C., Mountain Grove, MO, Zone 1, North St. Louis County
Troop D
Daniels, Aaron B., Webb City, MO, Zone 12, Christian County
Troop E
Jones, Logan M., Miner, MO, Zone 9, Pemiscot/New Madrid Counties
Troop F
Koester, Jordan A., Coulterville, IL, Zone 15, Callaway County
Troop G
Edens, Caz A.C., Ramona, CA, Zone 5, Douglas/Ozark Counties
Poynter, Nathaniel B., Houston, MO, Zone 2, Texas/Wright Counties
Troop H
Matthews, Russell A., Fredericktown, MO, Zone 1, Atchison/Holt Counties
Tanner, Joshua M., St. Charles, MO, Zone 10, Daviess/DeKalb Counties
Troop I
Baird, Macy T., Farmer City, IL, Zone 9, Crawford County
Sutton, Logan T., Clarksville, MO, Zone 3, Crawford County