JEFFERSON CITY – Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 21 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy Friday. The ceremony took place at 9 a.m. in the gymnasium of the Patrol’s Academy. The 120th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 2, 2024.
The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on Monday, July 8, 2024.
One of the new troopers will serve in Ste. Genevieve and Perry Counties (Zone 16).
He is Kendall L. Goforth of St. Francois, Mo.
The Honorable Kelly Broniec, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey provided the keynote address. Representative Doug Richey and Colonel Olson also addressed the class. The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Sergeant Andrew A. Henry, Troop H, sang the national anthem. Pastor Robert Lilly, Crossroads Baptist Church, Piedmont, Mo., provided the invocation and benediction.
Four class awards were presented during the graduation ceremony. 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. The recruit with the highest number of points overall earned the Superintendent’s Award.
Trooper Bryce Lautenschlager accepted the Academics Award; Trooper Thomas Stamos accepted the Firearms Trophy; and Trooper Alec Land accepted the Physical Fitness Award. Colonel Olson presented the Superintendent’s Award to Trooper Alec Land.
The names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 120th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A
Bryce S. Lautenschlager (Lexington, MO) ─ Zone 12, Johnson County
Micah J. Saladrigas (Smithville, MO) ─ Zone 3, Clay County
Aric M. Storey (Platte City, MO) ─ Zone 2, Platte County
Griffin W. Winesburg (Joplin, MO) ─ Zone 15, Henry County
Troop C
Thomas L. Benner (New Haven, MO) ─ Zone 7, Warren County
Samuel C. Clair (Marshfield, MO) ─ Zone 1, North St. Louis County
Kendall L. Goforth (St. Francois, MO) ─ Zone 16, Ste. Genevieve and Perry Counties
Ryan A. Lilly (Jefferson City, MO) ─ Zone 13, Jefferson County
Cole A. Richardson (Sullivan, MO) ─ Zone 13, Jefferson County
Thomas A. Stamos (Lebanon, IL) ─ Zone 12, Jefferson County
Troop D
Alec Land (Hollister, MO) ─ Zone 15, Stone and Taney Counties
Alexander Smock (Jerico Springs, MO) ─ Zone 12, Christian County
Karter Wagner (Galena, MO) ─ Zone 15, Stone and Taney Counties
Troop E
William L. Vanmatre (Wappapello, MO) ─ Zone 11, Stoddard County
Troop F
Jase W. Cox (Centralia, MO) ─ Zone 4, Audrain and Montgomery Counties
Tanner M. Rayhart (Eldon, MO) ─ Zone 11, Camden and Miller Counties
Gage C. Schimke (Ashland, MO) ─ Zone 15, Callaway and Montgomery Counties
Troop G
Ethan C. Minge (West Plains, MO) ─ Zone 4, Northern Howell and Shannon Counties
Troop H
Collin R. Kinman (Greenwood, MO) ─ Zone 1, Holt and Atchison Counties
Richard J. Wilcox (Cameron, MO) ─ Zone 10, Daviess and DeKalb Counties
Troop I
Michael L. Grapes (Lebanon, MO) ─ Zone 8, Laclede County