Sergeant Kauth Retires From Patrol, Cerroni Named New Zone Supervisor

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Captain James E. Wilt, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, announced effective June 1, 2020, Sergeant Michael Kauth will retire from the Missouri State Highway Patrol after over 28 years of dedicated service.

Sergeant Kauth was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1992, as a member of the 64th Recruit Class. After graduating from the Patrol Academy, he was assigned to Troop B, Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. On January 1, 1997, he was promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 6. On August 24, 2003, he was promoted to sergeant and designated the zone supervisor of Zone 6. It is from this assignment that Sergeant Kauth retires.

Sergeant Kauth is a native of Easton, Missouri, and graduated from East Buchanan High School, in Gower, Missouri. He attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri. He is married to Jennifer (Malone). They have six children and two grandchildren.

Sergeant Christopher Cerroni has transferred to Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. He was designated the zone supervisor of Zone 6 to replace Kauth.

Cerroni was appointed to the Patrol on January 1, 1993. After graduating from the Patrol Academy, he was assigned to Troop B, Zone 4, Putnam and Sullivan counties. On February 1, 2001, he transferred to Troop C, and was stationed in Pacific, Missouri. On August 1, 2002, he transferred to Troop B, Zone 5, Adair and Schuyler counties. On September 1, 2003, Cerroni was promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. On July 1, 2010, he was promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 7, Knox and Lewis counties.

Sergeant Cerroni is a native of Crestwood, Missouri, and graduated from Vianney High School in Kirkwood, Missouri. Cerroni holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Sergeant Cerroni and his wife, Kristie (Thompson), have two children.

Corporal Joseph Davidson was promoted to sergeant and designated zone supervisor of Zone 7, Knox and Lewis counties. Davidson was appointed to the Patrol on January 18, 2004. After graduating from the Patrol Academy, he was assigned to Troop B, Zone 4, Putnam and Sullivan counties. On August 1, 2008, he transferred to Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties. On October 1, 2014, he was promoted to corporal and designated assistant zone supervisor of Zone 7. He is a native of Kahoka, Missouri, and graduated from Clark County R-1 High School. Prior to his appointment to the Patrol he served as a Clark County sheriff’s deputy. Sergeant Davidson and his wife, Haley (Armstrong), have three children.

Trooper Brett Tappendorf was promoted to corporal and designated the assistant zone supervisor of Zone 9, Marion and Ralls counties. Tappendorf was appointed to the Patrol on February 1, 2010. Upon his graduation from the Patrol Academy he was assigned to Zone 6, Clark and Scotland counties.

Corporal Tappendorf graduated from St. Elmo High School in St. Elmo, Illinois. He holds an associate of science degree in network administration from Lake Land College in Mattoon, Illinois. Corporal Tappendorf and his wife, Michele (Wendling), have three children.