As they start their new career, the most recent graduates of the Missouri Highway Patrol Academy were told Wednesday to always remember they are public servants.
The graduation ceremony for the 31 members of the 110th Recruit Class marked the end of 25 weeks of training. Due to coronavirus guidelines, the ceremony was held by invitation only.
Keynote speaker Gov. Mike Parson, a former Polk County sheriff, thanked Col. Eric Olson and the patrol for their work over the past year, noting with political unrest and the pandemic, the Highway Patrol has had to maintain a high standard during some of the most difficult times in the state's history.
"As a public servant, you should start off your day thinking, 'How am I going to help this state, and what can I do to make the lives of citizens better?'" Parson said. "It's a tough arena. Some of you will be thinking you can't wait to get behind the wheel of those cars, but you have to remember that everything you do is under a microscope; and you have to remember you represent not just yourself, but the patrol as well."
Parson told the recruits he lost a member of his department in the line of duty while he was sheriff and he has never forgotten what that was like.
"I want you to protect yourselves and make sure you know something could happen to anybody at any time," Parson said. "You will have to rely on the training you got here time and time again."
Parson added, "Always remember you have to do the things that are right no matter what the situations are."
Olson acknowledged that as the graduation ceremony was taking place, Joe Biden's presidential inauguration was taking place at the same time in the nation's capital.
"I wanted you to know that 40 of our troopers are part of the security detail serving in Washington," Olson told the troopers. "All 40 of those individuals got their start right where you are today. I know they will represent our state well."
Graduate Andrew Gordon, of Montgomery City, has been assigned to work in Audrain County, which falls in the 13-county jurisdiction of Troop F based in Jefferson City.
The new troopers will report to duty in their assigned troops Feb. 16.
Olson said he hopes the recruits were encouraged by all they have overcome to get to this point in their lives.
"You have had to make it through unprecedented obstacles due mainly to the pandemic," Olson said. "When you leave here, you'll have the opportunity to help people in need, and you'll find great satisfaction in that.
"You will hear different opinions about how you can do your job differently or how about law enforcement needs to refocus its efforts," Olson continued. "Undoubtedly, we are in a time of transition, and we must look at the needs of our communities and provide professional law enforcement services to meet these needs."
Noting Monday was the national holiday celebrating the life of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., Olson used a King quote as his final thought for the new troopers: "The time is always right to do what is right."