Five new troopers assigned to Troop H in St. Joseph after graduating Friday

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- Five new Highway Patrol troopers are set to report for duty at Troop H in St. Joseph after graduating from the patrol's Law Enforcement Academy on Friday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced the graduation of the 124th class of recruits on Friday made up of 25 new state troopers. Capt. Shawn P. Skoglund, commanding officer of Troop H in St. Joseph, confirmed the assignment of five new troopers to Troop H following the ceremony.

Troop H encompasses 15 counties across Northwest Missouri.

The new group will report for duty in St. Joseph on Jan. 5, 2026, bringing a wide range of experience in different areas, from U.S. military, law enforcement, corrections and communications.

New troopers assigned to Troop H

• Trooper Matthew J. Dorrell, a native of Marceline, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 4, which serves the citizens of Grundy, Livingston, and Mercer counties. Trooper Dorrell is a 2023 graduate of Marceline R-V. He joined the Missouri National Guard in 2022, where he continues to serve as a heavy equipment operator. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Dorrell was employed by Lawn Boyz in Bucklin, Missouri, as a lawn care specialist.

• Trooper Delaney K. Dunkin, a native of Norborne, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 7, which serves the citizens of Caldwell and Clinton counties. Trooper Dunkin graduated from Norborne R-8 in 2023. After high school she attended Metropolitan Community College-Maple Woods in Kansas City, Missouri, where she earned an Associate of Arts degree in 2024. Prior to her employment with the Patrol, Trooper Dunkin was employed by Ray County 911 in Richmond, Missouri, as a communications officer.

• Trooper Raul Hernandez, a native of Marshall, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 10, which serves the citizens of Daviess and DeKalb counties. Trooper Hernandez graduated from Marshall High School in 2017. After high school he attended Missouri Valley College in Marshall, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice in 2021. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Hernandez was employed by the Marshall Police Department as a police officer.

• Trooper Noah M. Newland, a native of Queen City, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 2, which serves the citizens of Nodaway and Worth counties. Trooper Newland graduated from Schuyler County R-1 in 2022. After high school he attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Newland was employed by Dollar General in Maryville, Missouri, as a sales associate.

• Trooper Lucas N. Reynolds, a native of Chillicothe, Missouri, has been assigned to Zone 4, which serves the citizens of Grundy, Livingston, and Mercer counties. Trooper Reynolds graduated from Chillicothe High School in 2023. Prior to his employment with the Patrol, Trooper Reynolds was employed by the Missouri Department of Corrections, as a corrections officer.

A full list of graduates

Troop A

• Trooper Tyler S. Lutjen (Clinton, MO) - Zone 11, Cass County

• Trooper Caleb C. Venegoni (Miami, OK) - Zone 14, Bates County

Troop B

• Trooper Miles A. Hayden (Zionsville, IN) - Zone 11, Randolph and Monroe Counties

• Trooper Jordan N. Schafer (Hannibal, MO) - Zone 10, Randolph and Monroe Counties

• Trooper Caden M. Wilson (Provo, UT) - Zone 6, Clark and Scotland Counties

Troop C

• Trooper Timonthy G. Busse (Potosi, MO) - Zone 14, St. Francois and Washington Counties

• Trooper Brady R. Cook (Farmington, MO) - Zone 1, North St. Louis County

• Trooper Nicholas A. Konopelski (St. Peters, MO) - Zone 8, St. Charles County

• Trooper Brenna C. Langenberg (New Haven, MO) - Zone 10, Franklin County

Troop D

• Trooper Kyle J. Atkisson (Grovespring, MO) - Zone 16, Hickory and Dallas Counties

• Trooper Blake T. Cook (Farmington, MO) - Zone 10, Webster County

• Trooper Nels C. Fry (Waynesville, MO) - Zone 3, Polk County

• Trooper Eric S. Leek (Carthage, MO) - Zone 14, Barry County

Troop E

• Trooper Grant D. Miller (Piedmont, MO) - Zone 11, Stoddard County

• Trooper Matthew J. Schroeder (Doniphan, MO) - Zone 7, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties

• Trooper Nikolas S. Smith (Senath, MO) - Zone 8, New Madrid and Pemiscot Counties

• Trooper Zachary G. Thren (Tell City, IN) - Zone 7, Mississippi, New Madrid, and Pemiscot Counties

Troop F

• Trooper Jace H. Adams (Hannibal, MO) - Zone 7, Cooper and Howard Counties

Troop G

• Trooper Adam C. White (Battlefield, MO) - Zone 5, Douglas and Ozark Counties

Troop I

• Trooper Thomas A. Kneuper (Rolla, MO) - Zone 6, Pulaski County