Col. Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that 25 troopers will graduate from the patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday. The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. in the academy gymnasium, 1510 E. Elm St., Jefferson City. The graduation ceremony will be live streamed on the patrol’s Facebook page, @motrooper.
The 118th Recruit Class reported to the academy on July 3. The new troopers, including Chad K. Johnson, Seymour, assigned to Texas and Wright counties, will report to duty in their assigned troops on Jan. 8, 2024.
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe will provide the keynote address at the ceremony. John Whetsel, retired sheriff of Oklahoma County, Okla., and retired chief of police of Choctaw, Okla., and Col. Olson will address the class during the graduation. Missouri Supreme Court Justice Robin Ransom will administer the oath of office to the new troopers. The Troop F Color Guard will present the colors, and the 135th Army Band, Missouri Army National Guard, will perform the national anthem. Pastor Delbert Hampton, Unity Baptist Church, Fulton, will provide the invocation and benediction.
Four class awards will be presented during the graduation ceremony. The recruits accumulate 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 will earn the respective award.
