Missouri Patrol members with ties to the Bootheel receive new assignments

POPLAR BLUFF - Two members of the Missouri Highway Patrol with local ties are changing duties. Col. Roger D. Stottlemyre, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, announced the changes which became effective Aug. 1.

Lt. Robert P. Stieffermann was promoted to the rank of captain and designated director of the Professional Standards Division at General Headquarters. Captain Bradley W. Jones transferred to the Traffic Division at General Headquarters as director.

Stieffermann is a 30-year veteran of the Patrol. Stieffermann graduated from the Patrol's Law Enforcement Academy in 1975, and was assigned to Troop E, Zone 2, Madison, Wayne and Iron counties. In 1986, he was promoted to corporal and designated assistant zone commander of Troop E, Zone 7, New Madrid, Scott and Mississippi counties. Stieffermann transferred to the Troop E unit of the Division of Drug and Crime Control in 1988.

In 1990, he transferred from Troop E to General Headquarters, remaining in the Division of Drug and Crime Control. He was promoted to sergeant in 1990. While in that division, Stieffermann supervised the Narcotics Unit and, later, the Motor Vehicle Theft and Information Unit. Stieffermann was promoted to lieutenant in 2001, and transferred to the Research and Development Division in General Headquarters where he served as the assistant director.

Prior to becoming a member of the Patrol, Stieffermann was in the United States Army from 1972 to 1974. He served as a military policeman at Fort Bragg, N.C., until his honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant. He was born in St. Louis and graduated from Union High School. Stieffermann and his wife, Debra, have one son, Christopher.

Jones is a 26-year veteran with the Patrol. After graduating from the Law Enforcement Academy in 1979, he was assigned initially to Troop I, Zone 5, Laclede County. In 1982, Jones transferred to Troop E, Zone 5, New Madrid County. While at Troop E, he earned the rank of corporal in 1987, and sergeant in 1989. He earned the rank of lieutenant in 1994, and was designated assistant director of the Human Resources Division at General Headquarters in Jefferson City. In 1998, he transferred to the Training Division at General Headquarters as the assistant director. In 2000, he was promoted to captain and designated director of the Professional Standards Division.

Jones, who was born in Hayti, graduated from Lilbourn High School in Lilbourn in 1974. He earned a bachelor's of science degree in criminal justice/chemistry from Southeast Missouri State University in 1978. In 2001, he earned a master's of science degree in criminal justice administration from Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg.

Jones and his wife, Diana (Werner), have two children: David and Sarah.