Highway Patrol Troop D promotions announced

(From Highway Patrol Troop D)

Captain Juan Villanueva, commanding officer of Troop D, Springfield, announces the following promotions.

Trooper John Mason was promoted to corporal on July 1, 2016, and designated as the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 11, Jasper County. Mason was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1999, and after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop C, St. Charles County. Mason transferred to Troop D, Zone 11, Jasper County in August 2003. Mason graduated from Monett High School, and attended Missouri Southern State University before his appointment to the Patrol. Corporal Mason is married to Lisa and they have three children.

Trooper Clinton Mason was promoted to corporal on July 1, 2016, and designated as an assistant zone supervisor of Zone 14, Barry County. Mason was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1997, and after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop D, Zone 13, Newton and McDonald counties. Mason graduated from Wheaton High School and attended Missouri Southern State University before his appointment to the Patrol. Corporal Mason is married to Cheryl and they have two children.

Corporal Steven Jones was promoted to sergeant on December 1, 2016, and designated as the zone supervisor of Zone 6, Lawrence and Dade counties. Jones was appointed to the Patrol on July 1, 1994, and after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop D, Zone 16, St. Clair and Hickory counties. In December 1996, Jones transferred to the Gaming Division serving at Harrah’s North Kansas City casino. Jones returned to Troop D in January 1999, and was assigned to Zone 6, Lawrence and Dade counties. Jones was promoted to corporal in August 1995 and remained in his current assignment. Jones graduated from Mount Vernon High School and attended the University of Missouri before his appointment to the Patrol. Sergeant Jones is married to Holly and they have two children.

Trooper Michael Lee was promoted to corporal on December 1, 2016, and remains in his current assignment in Troop D, Zone 18, as a commercial vehicle enforcement trooper. Lee was appointed to the Patrol on January 7, 2008, and after graduating the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop D, Zone 12, Christian County. On December 1, 2014, Lee transferred to Troop D, Zone 18, as a commercial vehicle enforcement trooper. Lee graduated from Chadwick High School and worked for the Patrol as a commercial vehicle officer before his appointment to the Patrol. Lee is married to Traci and they have one child.

Trooper Justin Choate was promoted to corporal on December 1, 2016, and designated as an assistant zone supervisor of Zone 15, Stone and Taney counties. Choate was appointed to the Patrol on June 29, 2003, and after graduating the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy was assigned to Troop A, Zone 11, Cass County. On November 11, 2006, Choate transferred to Troop I, Zone 8, Laclede County. Choate transferred to Troop D, Zone 12, Christian County on October 1, 2009, and to Troop D, Zone 10, Webster County on September 9, 2012. Choate graduated from Marshfield High School and graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science degree before his appointment to the Patrol. Corporal Choate is married to Sara and they have one child.