HIGHWAY POTROL TROOP E GETS A NEW SAFETY EDUCATION OFFICER

POPLAR BLUFF -- There will be a spokesman for the Missouri Highway Patrol's public safety education programs for students and adults in the Troop E area.

Sgt. Brent Davis, 42, of Poplar Bluff, has been appointed safety education officer for the 13-county Troop E. The appointment is effective today, which also is the effective date of the retirement of Sgt. Ron Jones, a 26-year veteran patrol officer who has been the troop's safety education officer.

The safety education officer, now called public information officer, is responsible for planning and conducting safety programs from kindergarten through high school, and for adult drivers. The programs range from defensive driving and school bus safety to drug abuse and seat-belt use. The safety officer also works closely with the news media in developing safety programs for the public.

Davis, a native of Cardwell in Dunklin County, was appointed to the patrol academy Jan. 1, 1975. Prior to his appointment, Davis farmed in the Bootheel and worked at Emerson Electric in Paragould, Ark.

After graduating from the academy in 1975, Davis was assigned to Troop E's Sikeston zone, where he spent the next 14 years. Davis' 17-year career as a patrol road officer came to end after he was involved in a vehicle accident that occurred when someone pulled out in front of his patrol car. "My knees got banged up pretty bad, and the doctor suggested I needed something less physical. When I head Ron was retiring, I applied for his position," Davis explained.

Davis realizes he's going to have to fill two pairs of big shoes; those of Jones and his predecessor, the late Sgt. Joe Matthews.

"I know Joe and Ron made a lot of friends all over the troop as safety education officers. Everywhere I go people tell me about the lasting impression both men have had on them, so I've got my work cut out for me. I look forward to continuing the outstanding programs they started and look forward to meeting everyone this fall," Davis said. "I plan to make a trip around the troop next week, with a stop in Cape Girardeau."

Jones, 57, says he doesn't have a whole lot planned for his retirement. "I'll be working around the house, do some fishing, play some golf, and do a little traveling," he said.

Jones was appointed to the patrol academy July 1, 1976. Prior to that he worked eight years as second mate on a towboat for Mid-America Transportation Co., and served two years in the Army from 1957-1959.

Unlike most other patrol officers, Jones was assigned to Troop E headquarters in Poplar Bluff after graduating from the academy. He spent his entire patrol career there.

He was promoted to corporal in 1976, and received his sergeant's stripes in 1986.

Jones was appointed acting safety education officer in 1985, after Matthews was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He became the full-time safety education officer in 1986, following Matthews' death.

Davis, like Jones, will also teach several semesters of DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) in some Bootheel schools. "I wish we could extend the DARE program to more schools, but its just not physically possible," he said.

Davis said he sees his job as safety education officer as one that can save lives through education and training. "If we can start with the very young and the adults and instill in them proper attitudes toward drug abuse, seat-belt use, and defensive driving, it will help reduce the death and accident toll in Southeast Missouri," Davis said.