Corporal Lonnie Lejeune of the Missouri Highway Patrol died as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Corporal Lejeune joined the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 1995, serving for 26 years, and was assigned to the Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division at the time of his death. Corporal Lejeune previously served with the Raleigh, North Carolina Police Department. He had received the Life Saving Award, the Department of Public Safety Employee of the Month, the Hank Johnson Award, Trooper of the Year, and the Medal of Honor from the Police Chiefs Association. Corporal Lejeune was scheduled to retire in July 2023.

Corporal Lejeune was a Navy veteran, entering service in April 1982 and serving six years until April 1988. He served as a Submarine Sonar Basic Maintenance Technician aboard the USS Hammerhead and deployed around the world in defense of the United States. Later, in 2003, Lonnie enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a Master at Arms First Class. Throughout his 23 years in the Reserves, he deployed to locations such as Bahrain; Iraq; Fort Jackson, SC; and Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait, where he worked with U.S. Customs. He was selected for numerous honors and assignments and awarded three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, five Good Conduct Awards, and he earned the title of Qualified Submarine Warfare Specialist. His greatest Navy accomplishment was promoting to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 2006 before his retirement from the Reserves.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, brother, and two sisters. Interment: Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.

Article by Brent Marchant