2005-16
NEWS RELEASE:   May 16, 2005
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM:   The Kansas Highway Patrol
CONTACT:   LT John Eichkorn 785-296-6800
Megan Ingmire 785-296-6800

KHP Master Trooper Koch Retires

Colonel William Seck, Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol, has announced that Master Trooper William R. Koch retired from the Patrol on March 12, 2005, after serving the citizens of Kansas for over 30 years.

Koch joined the Patrol in September of 1974 and was assigned road patrol duties in the Lyons area. In 1992, he was promoted to master trooper.

During Koch’s service with the Patrol, he was a field training officer for three recruit troopers. In 1976, he received the Calvary Baptist Church Recognition Award and in 1983, he was the recipient of the Patrol’s Division Commendation Award for the number of DUI arrests he made that year. He received automobile theft awards for recovering stolen vehicles during traffic stops in 1982 and 1985. He was honored with the 1983 Certificate of Achievement Award for saving the life of a crash victim. In addition, Koch received a Certificate of Appreciation Award for helping to recover a family who had been buried by a tornado in their basement. He had also received the Hoisington Tornado 2001 Award from the Hoisington Police Department for his efforts.

Koch graduated from Chanute High School in Chanute, Kansas. Between 1970 and 1971, he was a member of the U.S. Navy. For two years, he was a patrolman with the Fredonia Police Department in Fredonia, Kansas, prior to joining the Patrol.

The Patrol wishes Bill the best in his retirement.