Patrol Commissions 102nd Recruit Class; 26 New Troopers Take Oath Of Office

Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces 26 troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy on Friday, June 24, 2016. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. in the Academy gymnasium. The 102nd Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 4, 2016. The new troopers report for duty in their assigned troops on July 11, 2016.

Trooper Ryan J. Windham, of Dexter, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 6, which serves the citizens of Mississippi, New Madrid, and Scott counties. Trooper Windham is a graduate of Dexter High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Trooper Windham’s field training officer will be Trooper B.A. Pratt.

Governor Jay Nixon provided the keynote address during the June 24 graduation ceremony. Department of Public Safety Director Lane Roberts, and Colonel J. Bret Johnson also addressed the class. The Honorable Mary Rhodes Russell, Missouri Supreme Court, administered the Oath of Office to the new troopers. Dean Gil Kennon, vice president of College Affairs for Mineral Area College, conferred an associate of applied science degree to 10 of the new troopers.

Troop F Color Guard presented and retired the colors. A quartet consisting of Sergeant John H. Lueckenhoff, Troop D, Sergeant Andrew A. Henry, Troop H, Trooper Steven J. Force, Troop H, and Pastor Terry Beasley, of Cameron, MO, sang the national anthem. Rev. Tim Rickman, Assemblies of God, Nixa, MO, provided the invocation and benediction.

Four class awards were presented. 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. Trooper Dakota K. Fletcher earned the physical fitness award. Trooper Justin C. Jenkins earned the firearms award. Trooper Matthew W. Neely earned the academics award. Trooper Sean P. Ernst accepted the Superintendent's Award, which is presented to the person with the most points overall.

Listed below are the names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 102nd Recruit Class:

Ronald K. Adams, Portageville, MO, Troop E, Pemiscot & New Madrid Counties
Geoffrey Beaulieu, Cassville, MO, Troop F, Montgomery County
Caleb M. Elam, Oak Ridge, MO, Troop E, Scott, Mississippi, & New Madrid Counties
Kyle L. Elledge, Newburg, MO, Troop C, St. Francois & Washington Counties
Sean P. Ernst, Columbia, MO, Troop F, Boone County
William W. Fair, Chicago, IL, Troop I, Phelps & Maries Counties
Aaron W. Ferguson, Warrensburg, MO, Troop A, Ray & Carroll Counties
Dakota K. Fletcher, Hamilton, MO, Troop A, Clay County
Tyler C. Fuller, Macon, MO, Troop B, Marion & Ralls Counties
Samuel R. Glass, Springfield, MO, Troop D, McDonald & Newton Counties
Justin C. Jenkins, Mineral Point, MO, Troop C, Ste. Geneveieve & Perry Counties
Brandon G. Katzing, Sedalia, MO, Troop A, Benton County
Robert P. Mahoney Jr., Arnold, MO, Troop C, Ste. Genevieve & Perry Counties
Justin K. Marlin, Osage Beach, MO, Troop A, Benton County
Corey T. Morgan, Columbia, MO, Troop G, Carter & Reynolds Counties
Matthew W. Neely. Cameron, MO, Troop H, Daviess & DeKalb Counties
Catlynn E. Newbold, Columbia, MO, Troop F, Camden County
Andrew C. Rickman, Battlefield, MO, Troop D, Stone & Taney Counties
Mark D. Ritter, St. Robert, MO, Troop I, Phelps & Maries Counties
Kaven D. Roney, Farmington, MO, Troop C, St. Francois & Washington Counties
Jeremy D. Sanders, Cuba, MO, Troop C, St. Francois & Washington Counties
Nelson R. Saucedo, Valley Park, MO, Troop C, Warren County
Joseph C. Southwood, Columbia, MO, Troop I, Laclede Counties
Braiden D. Vaught, Springfield, MO, Troop D, Jasper County
Brodie P. Waaso, Cottleville, MO, Troop C, St. Charles County
Ryan J. Windham, Dexter, MO, Troop E, Scott, Mississippi, & New Madrid Counties

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Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reminds the general public of the importance of water safety during the extremely hot weather. The heat causes people to gravitate toward all kinds of waterways, public and private. Even those who are weak swimmers, including small children, may enter waterways to get relief, so taking the proper precautions is paramount. 

Drownings do not typically occur as dramatized on television. Drownings occur quickly and in many cases, the drowning itself is not actually witnessed. The victim is there one minute and gone the next. Life jackets are an important part of drowning prevention, whether boating or simply swimming from the shoreline or a dock. It is imperative for children to be instilled with the habit of wearing a life jacket whenever they are around the water. State law requires children under seven to wear a life jacket while on a watercraft, but that is only a minimum requirement. Life jackets clearly benefit persons of all ages. 

It is common for teens and even adults to overestimate their swimming ability, so even if a person chooses not to wear a life jacket, keeping a life jacket or other adequate flotation within reach is imperative. It is difficult to judge distance on the water, so what appears to be a short swim across a pond, lake, or river may actually be further than you think. The current on rivers may also extend your swim beyond your abilities. Panicking is a key component of drowning. The best way to avoid panic is to be prepared around the water. Once the struggle to stay afloat begins, it may be too late to retrieve a flotation device. Clearly, the best practice is to wear a life jacket.

As we get into what is typically the hottest weather of the year, help ensure you don't become a drowning victim. Make sure you and your loved ones are prepared when they hit the water.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

Shown in the photo is Camden Stone swimming at Lake Wappapello, 2-year old son of David and Laura Stone of Dexter, Missouri.

Missouri - Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announces the Patrol's participation in Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign in which marine law enforcement officers from across the country coordinate special patrols during the last weekend in June to keep our waterways safe from boaters operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Troopers will focus their efforts over the weekend of June 24-26, 2016, to detect and apprehend impaired operators.

Missouri boat operators found to have a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater will be arrested for boating while intoxicated. Intoxicated boat operators endanger themselves, their passengers, and other boaters utilizing our many waterways.

Last year, 582 local, state, and federal agencies participated in a weekend long event of heightened BWI enforcement known as Operation Dry Water. Officers removed 278 intoxicated boat operators from the water. In addition, law enforcement officers made contact with over 125,087 boaters concerning BWI or boating safety enforcement and awareness. From 2010 to 2015, over 1,870 BWI operators have been removed from the water by law enforcement officers during the Operation Dry Water weekends.

In 2015, during less than desirable boating weather, troopers arrested a total of three people statewide for boating while intoxicated, contacted 543 vessels and 1,531 boaters, and issued 85 boating violation summonses and 588 warnings on Missouri waterways. Marine operations troopers also issued 137 summonses for non-boating violations during the 2015 Operation Dry Water weekend. Special enforcement operations will continue throughout the summer months. Boaters are reminded that designating a sober operator is always the safest bet if alcohol is going to be included in their boating experience.

Watercraft operators must consider the effect their actions have on others: Share the waterway and use common sense, good judgment, and courtesy to ensure the safety of all. Life jackets save lives. Wear It!!

Shown in the photo is Lucas Foster, age 3, son of Matt and Miranda Foster of Puxico, Missouri.

Dexter, Missouri - The City of Dexter will host their annual fourth of July Fireworks Display on Sunday, July 3, 2016 at dusk at the East City Park complex.  S&N Display Fireworks of Lincoln, Illinois will be providing the pyrotechnics for the city.

The event is FREE and open to everyone.  There will be parking at the East City Park Aquatic Center, along the Dexter Creek levee, the Stoddard County Fairgrounds, and also the parking area south of the ball field.  The baseball and soccer fields will be roped off by the Dexter Fire Department prior to the event.

In case of rain on Sunday, July 3rd, the fireworks show will be held on Tuesday, July 5th.

Dexter city ordinance prohibits shooting of fireworks inside the city limits, but will be waived both Sunday, July 3rd and Monday, July 4th to allow residents a chance to celebrate the holiday.

Dexter Police Joins National Fourth (4th) of July Holiday Crackdown

To Reduce Drunk Driving Fatalities 

‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ Campaign Will Target Substance–Impaired Drivers.

Dexter, MO – Local police will be out in full force as part of the annual nationwide Fourth (4th) of July Holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” substance–impaired driving crackdown. The crackdown, which will include high-visibility enforcement throughout Dexter, will run from July 1-5, 2016.  The effective nationwide substance–impaired driving crackdown will include high-visibility enforcement, high-profile events, and will be supported by national paid advertising, creating a comprehensive campaign to curb substance–impaired driving over the Fourth (4th) of July Holiday.

Dexter Police said its Officers will be aggressively looking for substance–impaired drivers during the crackdown and will arrest anyone caught driving impaired.  Although it is illegal in all 50 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive impaired (having a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher), far too many people across the nation get behind the wheel after consuming too much alcohol. The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration underscore the serious nature of the nation’s continuing drunk driving epidemic.

“Every year, about one third of all motor vehicle traffic deaths involve one or more substance- impaired drivers or motorcycle operators,” said Lieutenant Benton. “In 2015, 192 people were killed and 644 seriously injured on Missouri’s roadways in crashes that involved at least one substance-impaired driver.” That works out to approximately one substance-impaired driver involved fatality every 1-3/4 days.

Lieutenant Benton added the Fourth (4th) of July holiday is particularly dangerous. During the Fourth (4th) of July holiday July 3-5, 2015, three (3) people were killed and eight (8) seriously injured involving at least one substance-impaired driver.

“Research has shown that high-visibility enforcement like the 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign reduces substance–impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent. By joining this nationwide effort, we will make Dexter’s roadways safer for everyone throughout the holiday,” said Lieutenant Benton.

“We want to remind everyone that getting behind the wheel impaired is a terrible idea. Unfortunately, not only does being under the influence impair your ability to operate a vehicle safely, it also impairs your judgment and good sense about whether you can, or should drive. If you have any doubt about your sobriety, do not get behind the wheel. If you do chose to drive impaired, you will be arrested. No warnings. No excuses,” Lieutenant Benton said.

Lieutenant Benton noted that being arrested for driving under the influence of any substance brings a wide range of negative consequences into one’s life. Substance–impaired drivers face jail time, loss of their driver licenses, and steep financial consequences such as higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, lost time at work, and the potential loss of job. When family, friends and co-workers find out, violators also often face tremendous personal embarrassment.

“Driving while impaired is simply not worth the risk. So don’t take the chance. Remember, we will be out in force and we will be watching, so ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,’” said Lieutenant Benton.