Thirty-seven new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy today in Jefferson City.
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Thirty-seven new Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy today in Jefferson City. They will report for duty on May 23, 2005. The 83rd Recruit Class reported to the Academy on October 18, 2004.
Mr. Mark James, director of the Department of Public Safety, addressed the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Missouri Supreme Court judge, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Rev. Terry Robinson from the First Church of God in St. James, gave the invocation and benediction.
Twenty-two of the new troopers received an associate’s degree from Mineral Area College based on their course work at the Academy. Four class awards were presented. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their 27 weeks at the Academy. The person with the highest number of points in each category earns the respective award. The Physical Fitness Award went to Trooper Aaron K. Griffin. The Top Gun Trophy went to Trooper Benjamin J. Blankenbecker. Trooper Donald K. Jones earned the Academic Award for the class. The Superintendent’s Award for overall achievement was presented to Trooper Curtis B. Wilt.
Among those listed as members of the 83rd Recruit Class were: Aaron K. Griffin of Columbia, to Troop H in Daviess County; Ann L. Cross of Jefferson City, to Troop H in Harrison County; Travis I. Goolsby of St. Joseph, to Troop H in DeKalb County; William S. Lashmet of Springfield, to Troop H in Holt County; and Ryan J. Wilhoit of Holt, to Troop H in Andrew/Buchanan Counties.