JEFFERSON CITY – Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 19 troopers, including Jordan A. Koester of Coulterville, Illinois, graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy Thursday.
Koester was one of four graduates honored during the graduation. He received the Firearms Award.
The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium, 1510 East Elm Street, Jefferson City, MO. The graduation ceremony was 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. Koester has been assigned to Troop F Zone 15 in Callaway, County.
Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe provided the keynote address. Director Sandra K. Karsten, Missouri Department of Public Safety, and Colonel Eric T. Olson also addressed the class during the graduation. The Honorable Patricia Breckenridge, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Trooper Timothy J. O’Sullivan, a member of the graduating class, sang the national anthem. Pastor Donald Carson, First Church of God, St. James, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.
Three other class awards were presented during the graduation ceremony in addition to Jordan Koester receiving the Firearms Award, Trooper Michael J. Ashley earned the Physical Fitness Award, Trooper Lyndon T. Carson earned the Academics Award and Trooper Lyndon T. Carson accepted the Superintendent’s Award having earned the most points overall.
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, MO, 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