Poplar Bluff, Missouri - Captain Jeffrey N. Vitale, commanding officer of Troop E, Poplar Bluff, announces the following promotions effective September 1, 2016.

Trooper Ricky L. Vannada has been promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone commander of Zone 2, Butler and Ripley counties. Vannada was appointed to the Patrol on October 17, 2004. After graduating from the Patrol Academy, he was assigned to Troop E, Zone 10, Dunklin County.

Trooper Jonathan T. Wilson has been promoted to corporal and will remain in his current assignment as a marine operations trooper. Wilson was appointed to the Missouri State Water Patrol on December 2, 2007, and joined the Missouri State Highway Patrol on January 1, 2011, with the merger of the two agencies. Wilson began his career in Troop D, Dallas County. On January 1, 2011, Wilson transferred to Troop E, Butler and Ripley counties. He and his wife Hayley (Buffington) have two children.

The only 100 percent survivable crash is the one that never happens. Make sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Every day as we travel on Missouri’s roadways, we trust that every driver on the road is going to obey the speed limit, pay attention, and drive sober. “Don’t Violate The Trust.”