Effective September 1, 2024, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has announced the promotion of several officers in Troop A and Troop D, under the leadership of Captains Steve Wilhoit and D. Scott Sater, respectively. These promotions come as part of the Patrol’s ongoing efforts to enhance leadership within its ranks.
Troop A Promotions
Captain Steve Wilhoit, commanding officer of Troop A in Lee’s Summit, announced the promotions of Corporals Ricky J. Chapman and Jerod J. B. Crump to the rank of sergeant.
Sergeant Chapman will serve as the zone supervisor of Zone 16, continuing to serve Benton County. Chapman joined the Missouri State Highway Patrol on January 7, 2007, as a member of the 86th Recruit Class. Following his graduation from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 16, in Benton County. He was promoted to corporal on July 1, 2016, and continued his service within Zone 16.
Sergeant Chapman is originally from Lebanon, Missouri, and graduated from Buffalo High School in 2000. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology from Missouri State University in Springfield in 2005. He is married to Jill, and they have four daughters and two grandchildren.
Sergeant Crump will remain in his current role as a Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Trooper. Crump was appointed to the Missouri State Highway Patrol on July 1, 2010, as a member of the 92nd Recruit Class. After completing his training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop A, Zone 12, in Johnson County. Crump was promoted to corporal on June 1, 2017, and served in Zone 12. In 2019, he joined the Division of Drug and Crime Control as a Criminal Investigator for the Troop A region before returning to Troop A in 2021 to serve as a Commercial Motor Vehicle Enforcement Trooper across a 13-county area.
Sergeant Crump, a Clinton, Missouri, native, graduated from Clinton High School in 1999. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Central Missouri (2003) and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Missouri (2004). He is married to Jamie, and they have four children.
Troop D Promotions
Captain D. Scott Sater, commanding officer of Troop D in Springfield, announced the promotions of Troopers Robert W. Garrett, Kevin C. Morris, and Randy Morris.
Trooper Robert W. Garrett has been promoted to corporal and will continue his service in Zone 20 as a Marine Enforcement Officer. Garrett was appointed to the Missouri State Water Patrol on January 2, 2005, and after completing the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he served in District 1, later renamed Zone 20, patrolling the Niangua River, Pomme de Terre, and Stockton lakes.
Corporal Garrett is from Independence, Missouri, and graduated from Blue Ridge Christian School in Kansas City. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Operations Specialist Petty Officer 3rd Class on the USS Spruance-DD963. Garrett is married to Jenny, and they have three children.
Corporal Kevin C. Morris has been promoted to sergeant and appointed as the zone supervisor of Zone 8, covering Barton and Vernon counties. Morris joined the Patrol on October 1, 2002, as part of the 80th Recruit Class. Following his graduation from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop D, Zone 4, serving Stone and Taney counties. He was promoted to corporal in April 2009 and served as the assistant zone supervisor in Zone 4.
Sergeant Morris is a Kirksville, Missouri, native who graduated from Kirksville High School in 1989 and Maryville University in St. Louis in 1993. He is married to Monica.
Trooper Randy Morris has been promoted to corporal and assigned as the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 7, serving Newton and McDonald counties. Randy was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 2008, as a member of the 87th Recruit Class. After his training at the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy, he was assigned to Troop D, Zone 7.
Corporal Morris hails from Seneca, Missouri, where he graduated from Seneca High School in 1986. He is a retired sergeant first class in the U.S. Army. Morris is married to Cindy.
These promotions are part of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its leadership and service to the community.
