25 new troopers to graduate from Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers will graduate from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 22, 2023.
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 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.
The Honorable Mike Kehoe, lieutenant governor of Missouri, will provide the keynote address. Mr. John Whetsel, retired Sheriff of Oklahoma County, OK and retired Chief of Police of Choctaw, OK and Colonel Eric T. Olson will address the class during the graduation. The Honorable Robin Ransom, Supreme Court of Missouri, will administer the Oath of Office to the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard will present the colors, and the 135th Army Band, Missouri Army National Guard, will perform the national anthem. Pastor Delbert Hampton, Unity Baptist Church, Fulton, 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 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