Missouri State Highway Patrol MSgt. Dale B. Pounds will retire Tuesday, Dec. 31 after more than 20 years of service with the highway patrol.
“I’ve been pretty lucky in my career,” said Pounds. “I’ve made a lot of good friends that have supported me.”
After graduating from Houston High School in 1983, Pounds went to work on a dairy farm in Houston. Later, he began hauling milk for a local individual before starting his own route in Texas, Howell and Shannon counties. He sold the business after 13 years of service.
Pounds began his law enforcement career in 2000, working at the Texas County Sheriff’s Department and as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Texas County Memorial Hospital.
Switching from hauling milk to law enforcement isn’t a common career change, but Pounds had long been interested in serving.
“When I was a junior in high school, I went to Missouri Boys State and was lucky enough to be selected as a police chief for the mock city,” said Pounds. “I liked the law enforcement aspect. When I got out of the contract milk hauling business, I thought I might try it.”
Still, becoming a highway patrolman is no easy task. “The patrol academy tests you physically and mentally,” said Pounds. “They want to find your blow up point. If I hadn’t been in such good physical shape, it might have been much harder to pass considering that I went in old for a trooper.”
In 2004, he graduated from the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy as part of the 83rd recruit class. Upon graduating, he was assigned to Troop E, Zone 8, covering Pemiscot and New Madrid counties.
In 2007, he transferred to Troop G. He relocated to the Texas County portion of Troop G in 2009 and was promoted to corporal in Howell and Shannon counties in 2012. In 2014, he gained the rank of sergeant, and attained the rank of master sergeant in 2018. He received multiple honors during his tenure, including being recognized as a top drug and Breathalyzer expert.
“I’ve always had the hunger to continue in law enforcement,” said Pounds. “I’d keep going right now but what’s stopping me is age.” The patrol’s mandatory retirement age is 60.
Cpl. Justin D. Piccinino, a California native and Park University in Parkville, Missouri graduate, will take Pound’s place.
“You can’t take it home with you,” said Pounds when asked about advice for troopers. “You have to do the best you can do and be truthful in everything you do.”
Seeing troopers under his command grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of his career.
“When you train someone and you can see their habits are similar to yours, it’s very rewarding to know that one day they can use the training you give to them to get out of a critical situation and survive.”
When looking back on his career, Pounds remembers the little moments such as helping a stranded motorist fondly.
“When you’re surrounded with a good working community, every day is good,” said Pounds. “There’s just not a bad day. We’re so lucky to be in a God-fearing area that’s supportive of law enforcement.”
Still, he has been part of several major events in the state on top of his highway and investigatory duties.
“I’ve been to the Caruthersville tornado, the Joplin tornado as part of the death notification squad and the 2014 Ferguson riots,” said Pounds.
The evolution of technology was also a major component of his two-decade career.
“The advancement in technology has been incredible,” said Pounds. “We do so much more work electronically than boots on the ground. The patrol needs to be more proactive as technology advances.”
As he begins retirement, Pounds has no intentions of slowing down. He plans to be active on his 470-acre beef farm, and is considering a private security gig. The farm has been in his family since 1957. He has a wife, Brenda, and stepson, Colt Sutton.
If he’s looking forward to anything, it’s having some flexibility in his schedule.
“If I told you I look forward to slowing down, that’d be a lie,” said Pounds. “Right now, the phone doesn’t quit ringing. As far as retirement goes, being able to do what I want to do when I want to is what I look forward to.”
