"A trooper's life is meant for me. Nothing in this world is free."
The 32 members of the 100th recruit class of the Missouri Highway Patrol entered Rackers Fieldhouse at Helias Catholic High School in Jefferson City on Friday morning, chanting this cadence as they completed their graduating ceremonies.
Along with family and friends of the graduates were many former Highway Patrol members marking the historic occasion.
Gov. Jay Nixon addressed the graduates and called the patrol the best in the nation.
"Just last night and early this morning, when severe weather and flash flooding threatened much of our state, members of the patrol performed valiantly," he said. "Troopers responded to 19 water rescues. That's the kind of critical public safety work all of you will be participating in.
"For the last 25 weeks, you have been united in a shared goal to earn the privilege of joining the ranks of the Missouri Highway Patrol. Over the years, the patrol has become one of the most elite law enforcement agencies in the country because it was not satisfied with simply embracing traditions. Its focus is on improving and setting the standards of practices. It's committed to inclusiveness, modernizing, and embracing new technology to protect the public in the 21st century.
"Today, the expectations of police are the highest they have ever been," he said. "The scrutiny you will undergo is more intense than ever before, but good troopers can't be dissuaded from the pursuit of justice."
The recruits went through 1,200 hours of training, dealing with traffic and criminal law, as well as crash investigations, shooting and defensive tactics.
The class reported to the academy Jan. 5, and now that they've graduated, this group will begin road duties July 13.
Coltin McGowan, of Holts Summit, will be stationed with the patrol's Troop H, working in Andrew and Buchanan counties.
"I've always had a desire to help people, and the prestige of this organization called out to me," he said. "I remember seeing patrol cars driving by when I was a little kid, and I thought it was cool; and the trooper association is about helping people, and that's what I want to do."
McGowan said going through the academy was trying, but it was worth it.
"I didn't want to spend my life behind a desk and wanted to help people, and this is a great organization to let me do that."