Michele Coon received an early Christmas present that would change her future career path with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
After having served as a zone sergeant since 2009 in Lincoln and Pike counties in Troop C, Coon, a 20-year veteran of the highway patrol, recently became Troop E's newest lieutenant.
"I was ecstatic," said Coon. "It was a nice Christmas present; I found out just before Christmas."
Since taking over Jan. 1, Coon said, she has been "getting to know the people in the office (troop headquarters). Everybody has been great."
Coon said she is getting her "feet wet right now, learning what all the responsibilities are going to be."
Coon's duties will include supervising District 1 -- Butler, Ripley, Wayne, Dunklin, Stoddard, Madison and Iron counties. She also will supervise building and maintenance, evidence, public information and recruiting.
"I'm trying to get to know where everything is at right now," said Coon, who indicated she's had to consult the map at times.
So far, Coon said, she has not had a chance to get to know the "road guys," but she will be working on that.
Coon said she is looking forward to relocating to the Southeast Missouri area, but hasn't decided on where she and her husband will settle.
The hope, she said, is to locate somewhere between Poplar Bluff and her hometown of Perryville.
Coon indicated she sought the promotion because of Troop E's location in Southeast Missouri.
"I just like this area; most of my family is in the area," said Coon, who indicated getting closer to home was an "overwhelming goal" as her parents are getting older.
Although closer to home now, Coon's career with the patrol has taken her around the state since her appointment on Jan. 1, 1997, as a member of the 73rd recruit class.
Upon graduation of the patrol's Law Enforcement Academy in Jefferson City, Coon was assigned to Troop F, Morgan and Moniteau counties.
In 2001, she transferred to Troop C, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties. Four years later, Coon was promoted to corporal and assigned to Franklin County, also in Troop C.
Her previous assignment in Lincoln and Pike counties also was in Troop C.
"I've been around the periphery of Troop C, without being in the city," said Coon, who indicated law enforcement was not her original career choice.
"I wanted to be an attorney," Coon said. "I was working for the university (Southeast Missouri State) as a security guard and got to working with police officers and taking criminal justice courses and just thought it was something I might really enjoy," Coon explained. "I really like the police culture."
Coon said she chose the highway patrol because it offered a chance for advancement.
"There's a lot of career opportunities within the highway patrol, so many different avenues you can take," she said.
Coon also cited the patrol's professionalism and its long history as "enticing."
"I thought I would be a criminal investigator, but as I was promoted, I got to start training people," Coon said. "I started really enjoying mentoring the younger officers as they came on, and my career path just moved that way.
"I never even ended up applying for a criminal investigator position. I just enjoyed the mentoring so much."
Coon said she is finding the lieutenant position is "all different" from working the road as she learns about the many administrative tasks that "you don't have to do on the road."
"As a zone sergeant, you're just worried about your little bubble there, your five or six people," said Coon, who indicated she now has a "whole lot more people" she trying to take care of.
As Coon settles into her new role, she said, she wants to get to "know the community, what the needs are in this area" and how the patrol can help with those needs.
Coon said she also will be working with Capt. Jeff Vitale to "see what his goals are and how I can help accomplish those."