Joplin, Lamar represented in Highway Patrol Academy graduating class

(From the Missouri Highway Patrol)

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 27 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on June 23, 2017. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The 104th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 2, 2017, to begin the 25-week training course to become a trooper. The new troopers report for duty in their assigned troops on July 10, 2017.

Attorney General Josh Hawley provided the keynote address during the graduation ceremony. Colonel Sandra K. Karsten also addressed the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Gil Kennon, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to nine of the new troopers.

Troop F Color Guard presented and retired the colors. Sergeant John H. Lueckenhoff, Troop D, and Recruit Bradley J. Lueckenhoff sang the national anthem. Reverend Scott Chastain, Mission Home Baptist Church, Marshfield, MO, 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 Ty B. Smith earned the physical fitness award. Trooper Kristopher D. Malay earned the firearms award. Trooper Jesse Procknow earned the academic award. Trooper Evan C. Macomber 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 104th Recruit Class are listed below:

Name/Hometown/First Assignment

Troop A
Felicia A. Vaughn, Odessa, MO, Jackson County
Darrin J. Maupin, Las Vegas, NV, Henry County
Weston T. Smith, Joplin, MO, Johnson County

Troop B
Ty B. Smith, Cantril, IA, Clark & Scotland Counties

Troop C
Joshua S. Baird, Lamar, MO, St. Charles County
Joseph V. BonDurant, Springfield, MO, N. St. Louis County
Zakkary D. Chapman, Cedar Hill, MO, S. St. Louis County
Cole Cherry, Crystal City, MO, Jefferson County
Leif A. Dezner, Moberly, MO, N. St. Louis County
Blake G. Groves, East Alton, IL, N. St. Louis County
Joshua Hughes, Warrenton, MO, St. Charles County
Bradley J. Lueckenhoff, Cassville, MO, St. Francois & Washington Counties
Brant W. Masek, Fulton, MO, Franklin County
Allen D. Neighbors, Unionville, MO, Pike & Lincoln Counties
Jesse Procknow, St. Louis, MO, S. St. Louis County
Taylor M. Wheeler, Independence, MO, St. Charles County

Troop D
Evan C. Macomber, Lebanon, MO, Dallas & Hickory Counties

Troop E
Trent S. Beeson, Doniphan, MO, Pemiscot & New Madrid Counties
Riley D. Johnson, Laplata, MO, Pemiscot & New Madrid Counties
Devin D. Wagner, Ozark, MO, Pemiscot & New Madrid Counties

Troop G
Matthew J. Chastain, Marshfield, MO, N. Howell County

Troop H
Andrew J. Foss, Odessa, MO, Atchison & Holt Counties
Anthony J. Kempa, Amazonia, MO, Nodaway & Worth Counties
Dylan M. Wilburn, Cameron, MO, Gentry & Harrison Counties

Troop I
Kristopher D. Malay, St. Robert, MO, Pulaski County
Maegan J. Sankovich, Pekin, IL, Pulaski County
Roy T. Smith, Ewing, MO, Crawford County