Missouri State Highway Patrol
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is the highway patrol agency for Missouri and has jurisdiction anywhere within the state.
In 1992, MSHP became the 10th state law enforcement agency to receive accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Colonel Eric T. Olson has been serving as the 24th Superintendent since March 15, 2019. He was confirmed by the Missouri Senate on March 14, 2019.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is a division of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Purpose
State laws pertaining to the Highway Patrol including its creation, powers, structure, mission and duties are specified in Chapter 43 of Missouri Revised Statutes. 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.Organization
General Headquarters and the Law Enforcement Academy are located in Jefferson City, Missouri, the state capital.The state is divided into nine Troops, with Troop headquarters and communications centers located in the following cities:
- Troop A: Lee's Summit
- Troop B: Macon
- Troop C: Weldon Spring
- Troop D: Springfield
- Troop E: Poplar Bluff
- Troop F: Jefferson City
- Troop G: Willow Springs
- Troop H: St. Joseph
- Troop I: Rolla
- Troop C: Park Hills
- Troop D: Carthage
- Troop E: Sikeston
- Recruiting & Community Outreach Division is housed in the MSHP General Headquarters in Jefferson City, Missouri.
| Troop A | Troop B: | Troop C: | Troop D: | Troop E: | Troop F: | Troop G: | Troop H: | Troop I: |
Vehicles
The MSHP utilizes a variety of vehicles, including but not limited to, the Dodge Charger, Ford Police Interceptor, Ford Police Interceptor Utility, 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.Weapons
Lethal Options:- Glock 17 GEN 5 9mm
- Glock 22.40 S&W
- Colt AR-15A1 5.56x45mm
- Remington Model 870 12 Gauge
- Pepper Spray
- ASP Baton
- Taser
Command Staff
| Bureau | Title | Name |
| Missouri State Highway Patrol | Superintendent - Colonel | Eric T. Olson |
| Patrol's Professional Standards | Lieutenant Colonel | Malik A. Henderson |
| Field Operations Bureau | Major | Gregory K. Smith |
| Criminal Investigation Bureau | Major | Sarah L. Eberhard |
| Administrative Services Bureau | Major | Vince S. Rice |
| Support Services Bureau | Major | Michael A. Turner |
| Technical Services Bureau | Major | David A. Flannigan |
| Executive Services Bureau | Major | Lance M. MacLaughlin |
- 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 Malik A. Henderson 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 Henderson 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Major Lance M. MacLaughlin oversight of the Executive Services Bureau, which directs the Budget and Procurement Division, Research and Development Division, and legislative liaison.
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.
Recruiting & Community Outreach Division
- Captain Benjamin C. Jones works under the direction of commander of the Administrative Services Bureau.
Fallen Officers
31 Troopers have been killed while on duty since 1931 with one Highway Patrol member dying in World War II.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 |
Badge and rank structure
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is one of only five State Patrols forces that do not wear a badge on their uniform shirts.| Title | Insignia | Notes |
| Superintendent | Appointed by the Governor of Missouri. must be confirmed by the Missouri Senate | |
| Assistant Superintendent | Lieutenant Colonel report directly to the Superintendent and have authority over the units. | |
| Major | Majors are responsible for a command within the Highway Patrol. | |
| Captain | A captain is a troop commander in the Field Operations Bureau or a division commander in one of the other bureaus. | |
| Lieutenant | A lieutenant is the assistant commander of a division/unit. | |
| Master Sergeant | A Master Sergeant acts a zone sergeant commanding a group of troopers. | |
| Sergeant | who supervises an entire Patrol shift of there Dist | |
| Corporal | 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. | |
| Trooper | No Insignia | Candidates successfully completing the academy and field training are appointed as troopers. |
| Trooper Cadet | No Insignia | 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 is the initial rank of oncoming Missouri State Highway Patrol, held while undergoing training at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Law Enforcement Academy.