JEFFERSON CITY – Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, December 19, 2025.
The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at the Patrol Academy’s gymnasium. The 124th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on July 1, 2025. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on January 5, 2026.
The Honorable Robin Ransom, Supreme Court of Missouri, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Missouri Lieutenant Governor David Wasinger provided the keynote address, and Colonel Turner also addressed the class.
The Troop F Color Guard presented the colors and Sergeant Andrew A. Henry (H) performed the national anthem. Pastor Ken Harland, Clover Road Christian Church, 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. Colonel Turner presented the Colonel C. E. “Mel” Fisher Superintendent’s Award to Trooper Jordan N. Schafer.
Trooper Blake T. Cook accepted the Physical Fitness Award;
Trooper Miles A. Hayden accepted the Firearms Trophy;
Trooper Tyler S. Lutjen accepted the Academics Award.
The names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 124th Recruit Class are listed below:
Troop A
Trooper Tyler S. Lutjen (Clinton, MO) – Zone 11, Cass County
Trooper Caleb C. Venegoni (Miami, OK) – Zone 14, Bates County
Troop B
Trooper Miles A. Hayden (Zionsville, IN) – Zone 11, Randolph and Monroe Counties
Trooper Jordan N. Schafer (Hannibal, MO) – Zone 10, Randolph and Monroe Counties
Trooper Caden M. Wilson (Provo, UT) – Zone 6, Clark and Scotland Counties
Troop C
Trooper Timonthy G. Busse (Potosi, MO) – Zone 14, St. Francois and Washington Counties
Trooper Brady R. Cook (Farmington, MO) – Zone 1, North St. Louis County
Trooper Nicholas A. Konopelski (St. Peters, MO) – Zone 8, St. Charles County
Trooper Brenna C. Langenberg (New Haven, MO) – Zone 10, Franklin County
Troop D
Trooper Kyle J. Atkisson (Grovespring, MO)- Zone 16, Hickory and Dallas Counties
Trooper Blake T. Cook (Farmington, MO) – Zone 10, Webster County
Trooper Nels C. Fry (Waynesville, MO) – Zone 3, Polk County
Trooper Eric S. Leek (Carthage, MO) – Zone 14, Barry County
Troop E
Trooper Grant D. Miller (Piedmont, MO) – Zone 11, Stoddard County
Trooper Matthew J. Schroeder (Doniphan, MO) – Zone 7, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties
Trooper Nikolas S. Smith (Senath, MO) – Zone 8, New Madrid and Pemiscot Counties
Trooper Zachary G. Thren (Tell City, IN) – Zone 7, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties
Troop F
Trooper Jace H. Adams (Hannibal, MO) – Zone 7, Cooper and Howard Counties
Troop G
Trooper Adam C. White (Battlefield, MO) – Zone 5, Douglas and Ozark Counties
Troop H
Trooper Matthew J. Dorrell (Marceline, MO) – Zone 4, Grundy, Mercer, and Livingston Counties
Trooper Delaney K. Dunklin (Norborne, MO) – Zone 7, Clinton and Caldwell Counties
Trooper Noah M. Newland (Queen City, MO) – Zone 2, Nodaway and Worth Counties
Trooper Lucas N. Reynolds (Chillicothe, MO) – Zone 4, Grundy, Mercer, and Livingston Counties
Trooper Raul Hernandez (Marshall, MO) – Zone 10, Daviess and DeKalb Counties
Troop I
Trooper Thomas A. Kneuper (Rolla, MO) – Zone 6, Pulaski County