After more than 30 years with the Highway Patrol, Centertown resident and local state trooper supervisor Billy Prater now has bars on his collar after he was promoted to lieutenant last week.“I’m excited and looking forward to the challenges of my new position,” Prater said of his promotion.Prater has served as supervisory sergeant for Warren and Cannon counties since 2008. A new sergeant will be named to head the local contingent in the coming weeks as Prater’s new responsibilities as leader of Troop D out of Cookeville will have him working in four counties -- Warren, Cannon, DeKalb and Smith. He will be supervising two sergeants and 15 troopers as part of his new job.“There are good troopers in all those counties so it’s going to be a pleasure working with them,” Prater said.His promotion comes after three full decades of service which began Jan. 5, 1986.