Col. Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces that Ethan C. Minge is one of 21 troopers who will graduate from the patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on June 21.
The ceremony will take place at 9 a.m. on the south lawn of the Missouri Capitol. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the patrol academy’s gymnasium. The graduation ceremony will be livestreamed on the patrol’s Facebook page, @motrooper.
The 120th Recruit Class reported to the academy on Jan. 2. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on July 8. Minge will be assigned to Troop G of the patrol, headquartered in Willow Springs, where he will cover Zone 4, northern Howell and Shannon Counties.
Missouri Supreme Court Justice Kelly Broniec will administer the oath of office to the new troopers. Attorney General Andrew Bailey will provide the keynote address. Olson will also address the class.
The Troop F Color Guard will present the colors and Sgt. Andrew A. Henry, Troop H, will sing the national anthem. Pastor Robert Lilly, Crossroads Baptist Church, Piedmont, 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. The recruit with the highest number of points overall earns the Superintendent’s award.
