The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that five troopers graduated from the Patrol’s Accelerated Law Enforcement Academy on, April 17, 2024. The ceremony took place at 10 a.m. at the Patrol Academy’s gymnasium. The 119th Recruit Class reported to the Academy on January 2, 2024. The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops on April 29, 2024.

Four awards were presented during the graduation ceremony. The recruits accumulated points toward graduation in the categories of physical fitness, firearms, and academics throughout their 15 weeks at the Academy. The Superintendent’s Award is presented to the recruit with the highest overall score. Trooper Robert Watkins accepted the Physical Fitness, Firearms, Academics and Superintendent’s awards.

Several area troopers have been assigned to Lafayette County. The names, hometowns, and first assignments of members of the 119th Recruit Class are listed below:

Troop A
Trooper Samuel Crosson (Odessa, MO) ─ Zone 8, Lafayette County
Trooper Ryan McFatrich (Lexington, MO) ─ Zone 8, Lafayette County
Trooper Matthew Tucker (Harrisonville, MO) ─ Zone 11, Cass County

Troop D
Trooper Robert Watkins (Springfield, MO) ─ Zone 2, Greene County

Troop E
Trooper Trevor Sutton (Poplar Bluff, MO) ─ Zone 1, Butler/Ripley Counties