Highway Patrol Troop D announces promotions

(From Highway Patrol Troop D)

Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, announces the following promotions that went into effect November 1, 2017.

Corporal Thomas J. (T.J.) Stevens has been promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 1, Greene County. Stevens was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1994, and after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop A, Pettis County. In 1997, Stevens transferred to the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, where he served in Troop A and Troop D until 2010. During this time, Stevens achieved the rank of corporal and sergeant. In April 2010, Stevens took a voluntary demotion to return to traffic enforcement and was assigned to Zone 1, Greene County. In 2014, he was promoted to corporal and designated as the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 1, Greene County. Stevens graduated from Hillcrest High School, Springfield, Missouri, and later attended Baker University, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology. Sergeant Stevens is married to Angela and they have three children, Jordan, Aleah, and Delaney.

Trooper Joel E. Givens has been promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 14, Barry County. Givens was appointed to the Patrol on January 8, 2006, and after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop C, St. Louis and Jefferson counties. In 2011, Givens transferred to Troop A, Clay County, and in 2014, was promoted to corporal and assigned to Zone 11, Cass County. In 2016, he took a voluntary demotion to trooper and transferred to Troop D, Zone 14, Barry County. Givens graduated from Jefferson City High School, Jefferson City, Missouri, and later attended Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology and sociology, with a minor in criminal justice. Corporal Givens is married (Keri).