Three from area to graduate from Highway Patrol class Friday

On Friday, the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy will commission its 100th recruitment class.

Thirty-two troopers will graduate on the south lawn of the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri, before reporting for duty to their assigned troops July 13.

Three area troopers will be graduating from Southeast Missouri. David Welker and Derek Walker are both from Cape Girardeau, and Emily Westmoreland is from Perryville.

Westmoreland and Welker both were assigned to Troop E in the southeast region of the state. Welker will serve Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties, and Westmoreland will patrol in Butler and Ripley counties.

Walker was assigned Troop C, an eastern region, for St. Louis and Jefferson counties.

The troopers reported to the academy for their training Jan. 5.

The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. with Gov. Jay Nixon and the Department of Public Safety director Lane Roberts addressing the class. Retired Col. Ron Replogle will provide the keynote address.

All retired members of the highway patrol have been invited to attend, and there will be an antique Missouri State Highway Patrol car display as well.

There also will be a color guard that includes Sgt. Erik L. Hurst and Cpl. Russell W. Shaul of Troop A wearing a 1930s-style uniform and Sgt. Ronald D. Kyle and Cpl. Coby G. Holzschu of Troop F wearing present-day uniforms, a news release from the MSHP said.

A quartet of Cpl. John H. Lueckenhoff, Troop D; Sgt. Andrew A. Henry, Troop H; trooper Steven J. Force, Troop H; and pastor Terry Beasley of Cameron, Missouri, will sing the national anthem. The Rev. Kevin Rowden of the Church of Christ in Dixon, Missouri, will provide the invocation and benediction.

The public is welcome to attend. If there is inclement weather, the ceremony will be moved to the Helias High School gymnasium in Jefferson City.

pertinent address:

Jefferson City, Missouri