State laws pertaining to the Highway Patrol including its creation, powers, structure, mission and duties are specified in Chapter 43 of Missouri Revised Statutes (RSMo).[4] According to Chapter 43.025 RSMo: "The primary purpose of the highway patrol is to enforce the traffic laws and promote safety upon the highways. In addition the Missouri State Highway Patrol has responsibility in criminal interdiction which involves the suppression of marijuana, cocaine, and narcotics on the state's roads and highways including the Missouri Interstate System. As near as practicable all personnel of the patrol shall be used for carrying out these purposes." The MSHP has a criminal investigation division that investigates crimes statewide such as murder, robbery, burglary, rape and financial crimes.
Missouri State Highway Patrol officers (circa 1910)
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is one of only five State Patrols forces that do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts. The Missouri State Highway Patrol uses a paramilitary rank structure and has the following ranks:[14]
Corporals are the first-line supervisors and are usually assigned as road supervisors within barracks. In the absence of a sergeant, they may act as the duty officer.
The trooper cadet program provides needed support and a clear pathway for those who are passionate about our state and are interested in a career in law enforcement.
State Trooper (Recruit) is the initial rank of oncoming Missouri State Highway Patrol, held while undergoing training at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy.[15]
The MSHP utilizes a variety of vehicles, including but not limited to, the Dodge Charger, Ford Police Interceptor (Taurus), Ford Police Interceptor Utility (Explorer), Ford F-150 and 250 series, Chevrolet Tahoe PPV, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and 2500 series, Chevrolet Impala 9C1. Both fully marked and semi-marked vehicles are used frequently. Colors include but not limited to: white, tan, blue, silver, black, gray, and maroon.
Superintendent The Missouri State Highway Patrol is under the command of Colonel Eric T. Olson, who was appointed Superintendent effective March 14, 2019. The Superintendent is supported by the Assistant Superintendent and Bureau Commanders.
Assistant Superintendent Lieutenant Colonel Lance M. MacLaughlin serves as the assistant superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. In addition to acting in the superintendent’s absence and at his request, Lieutenant Colonel MacLaughlin has direct oversight over the Professional Standards Division, Public Information, and Education Division, the Office of Community Engagement, and Outreach, and the Patrol’s legal counsel.[16]
Major Gregory K. Smith commands the Patrol's Field Operations Bureau, which has authority over the Patrol's nine Troops, the Aircraft Division and the Water Patrol Division.
Major Sarah L. Eberhard oversees the Criminal Investigation Bureau, which has authority over the Crime Laboratory, Drug and Crime Control, Gaming, Governor's Security, and MIAC divisions.[16]
Major Vince S. Rice commander of the Administrative Services Bureau, which has authority over the Career Recruitment, Human Resources, and Training divisions and coordinates their activities with the troops.[16]
Major Michael A. Turner is commander of the Support Services Bureau, which directs the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, Driver Examination, Motor Vehicle Inspection and Fleet and Facilities divisions and coordinates their activities with the troops. Major Turner is also responsible for capitol improvements.[16]
Major David A. Flannigan responsible for the Technical Services Bureau, which directs the Criminal Justice Information Services, Communications and Patrol Records divisions and coordinates their activities with the troops.[16]
Major Scott A. Shipers has oversight of the Executive Services Bureau, which directs the Budget and Procurement Division, Research and Development Division, and legislative liaison.[16]
Field Operations Bureau
Commander Major Gregory K. Smith
Captain Norman A. Murphy
Lieutenant Michael A. Halford
Lieutenant Brian L. Daniel
Tamie Quigley - Special Assistant
Gretchen Vislay - Crime Victim Advocate
Criminal Investigation Bureau
Captain Kyle D. Marquart works under the direction of the Commander Major Sarah L. Eberhard.
Water Patrol Division
Division Director: Captain Matt Walz
Assistant Division Director: Lieutenant Mike Petlansky
Recruiting & Community Outreach Division
Division Director: Captain Benjamin C. Jones works under the direction of commander of the Administrative Services Bureau.[17][18]
The Recruiting and Community Outreach Division under the Administrative Services Bureau, General Headquarters, Jefferson City, MO
Fallen Officers
31 Troopers have been killed while on duty since 1931 with one Highway Patrol member dying in World War II.[19][20]
The members are as follows:
Rank
Name
Date of Death
Cause of Death
Age
Location
Sergeant
Benjamin Oliver Booth
06-14-1933
Shot and killed along with Boone County Sheriff Roger Wilson while manning a roadblock in an attempt to catch 2 bank robbers
35
Intersection of U.S. Highway 40 and U.S. Highway 63; just north of his residence in Columbia, Missouri
Trooper
Fred L. Walker
12-03-1941
Shot and killed while transporting 2 car thieves to jail; he failed to find a pistol on them and was shot going down the road
33
Near Ste. Genevieve and Bloomdale in Ste. Genevieve County
Trooper
Victor O. Dosing
12-07-1941
Shot and killed in a cafe/apartment while helping Trooper Sam Graham, local officer John Love, and Justice of the Peace A.F. Stubbs arrest an Army Private wanted for murder
34
In the Coffee Pot Cafe one mile south of Galloway, Missouri and near Springfield, Missouri
Trooper
James D. Ellis
10-16-1942
Killed in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp; the only Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper to die in the military
29
Manila, Philippines
Trooper
Charles P. Corbin
09-15-1943
Killed while on patrol with Public Service Commission Inspector Ed Bilyeau; a tractor trailer came into his lane and hit him head-on while on a narrow bridge
27
On U.S. Highway 71 north of Carthage, Missouri
Trooper
Ross S. Creach
12-12-1943
Struck and killed by a speeding car while helping a tow truck get a tractor trailer out of a ditch
24
U.S. Highway 36, 5.5 miles west of Shelbina, Missouri in Shelby County
Trooper
John N. Greim
07-13-1945
Killed in a plane crash during a pursuit along with the plane's owner
32
Just over the Missouri-Arkansas line near Corning, Arkansas
Trooper
Wayne W. Allman
10-27-1955
Killed in a car crash while en route to another crash
34
Intersection of Missouri State Route 35 and Missouri State Route B
Trooper
Jesse R. Jenkins
10-14-1969
Shot and killed during a court sentencing hearing
29
In the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office in Montgomery City, Missouri
Trooper
Gary W. Snodgrass
02-21-1970
Killed in a single car crash after losing control in a curve
24
On Missouri Highway 36; 7 miles east of Salem, Missouri in Dent County
Trooper
William R. Brandt
06-12-1970
Killed when tornado-like winds put his car into a bridge abutment
23
U.S. Highway 36 near Macon, Missouri
Trooper
Dennis H. Marriott
06-13-1981
Died from injuries sustained after being hit by a car during a traffic stop on 06-01-1981
36
U.S. Highway 54 in Jefferson City, Missouri in Cole County
Trooper
James M. Froemsdorf
03-02-1985
Shot and killed while taking a wanted man to jail; the suspect got his hand free and stole Froemsdorf's gun
35
On I-55 near Brewer, Missouri
Trooper
Jimmie E. Linegar
04-15-1985
Shot and killed while on a traffic stop with Trooper Allen D. Hines
31
At the intersection of U.S. Highway 65 and Missouri Highway 86 south of Branson, Missouri
Trooper
Russell W. Harper
02-08-1987
Shot and killed while on a traffic stop
45
East of U.S. Highway 65 and U.S. Highway 60 near Farm Route 189 in Greene County, Missouri
Corporal
Henry C. Bruns
02-16-1987
Killed after the vehicle in which he was a passenger, lost control on the icy roadway and hit a bridge abutment
41
Missouri Highway 6 in Buchanan County
Trooper
Robert J. Kolilis
11-21-1988
Struck and killed by a truck while investigating 2 stopped cars on the side of the road
24
On Missouri Route M in Washington County near Irondale, Missouri
Corporal
Michael E. Webster
10-02-1993
Struck and killed by a drunk driver while on a traffic stop
33
On U.S. Highway 40 in Blue Springs, Missouri in Jackson County
Sergeant
Randy V. Sullivan
02-17-1996
Killed in a single car wreck after losing control and hitting trees while trying to pull over a speeding car
40
On Missouri Highway 72 in Madison County, 8 miles west of Fredericktown, Missouri
Sergeant
David C. May
05-17-1999
Killed in a helicopter crash while having a photographer take pictures of the ongoing local Special Olympics
41
Behind the Union Planter's Bank in Poplar Bluff, Missouri in Butler County
Sergeant
Robert G. Kimberling
10-06-1999
Shot and killed after pulling a suspect over who didn't pay for gas
43
On I-29 in St. Joseph, Missouri in Buchanan County
Sergeant
Robert A. Guilliams
02-16-2001
Killed after losing control in the rain while responding to a car crash
41
On I-55 in Pemiscot County approx. 16 miles north of the Missouri-Arkansas state line
Trooper
Kelly N. Poynter
01-18-2002
Struck and killed by a drunk driver while helping out at a car wreck
27
U.S. Highway 63 in Texas County; 2 miles south of Houston, Missouri
Trooper
Michael L. Newton
05-22-2003
Struck by a truck and killed while sitting in his car with a driver he had pulled over
25
On I-70 near the 47 mile marker in Lafayette County
Sergeant
Carl D. "DeWayne" Graham, Jr.
03-20-2005
Shot and killed after an ambush at his residence as he just got home
37
Van Buren in Carter County, Missouri
Trooper
Ralph C. Tatoian
04-20-2005
Killed in a single car crash while responding to a manhunt for an armed bank robber in the Franklin County who shot at deputies in Gasconade County
32
On I-44 in Franklin County
Corporal
John A. "Jay" Sampietro, Jr.
08-17-2005
Struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at a car crash scene
36
On I-44 near Stafford in Webster County, Missouri
Trooper
Donald K. "Kevin" Floyd
11-22-2005
Struck and killed by a truck while on a traffic stop
45
U.S Highway 60 approx. one mile east of Missouri Route MM in Texas County, Missouri
Corporal
Dennis E. Engelhard
12-25-2009
Struck and killed by a truck on the icy roadway while investigating an earlier crash
49
On I-44 east of Eureka, Missouri
Sergeant
Joseph G. Schuengel
10-15-2010
Killed in a helicopter crash
47
Near the intersection of Clarkson Road and Kehr Mills Road in St. Louis County
Trooper
Frederick F. Guthrie, Jr.
08-01-2011
Drowned along with his K9, Reed, when they were swept away by high water while working Missouri River flood duty
46
In the area of Big Lake near Missouri Highway 118 and Missouri Highway 111 in Holt County, Missouri
K9
Reed
08-01-2011
Drowned along with his handler, Trooper Frederick F. Guthrie, Jr., when they were swept away by high water while working Missouri River flood duty
N/A
In the area of Big Lake near Missouri Highway 118 and Missouri Highway 111 in Holt County, Missouri
Trooper
James M. Bava
08-28-2015
Killed in a single-car crash while trying to pursue a motorcycle
25
On Missouri Route FF, just east of Audrain County Road 977 in Audrain County, Missouri
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