JEFFERSON CITY – Colonel Michael A. Turner, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, congratulates the following employees who were recognized for their actions at the awards ceremony on April 5, 2025. This year’s awards ceremony took place at the Wyndham Executive Center in Columbia, MO.
The keynote speaker for the evening, Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins, said in his speech, “It’s an honor to stand before this distinguished crowd, especially in this room, filled with so many who understand the true meaning of service, sacrifice, and strength. In every corner of Missouri, I’ve seen the same spirit — integrity, honor, and a fierce commitment to community. These are not just words on a department model, they are lived values, and they are passed down from veteran officers to rookies, from one generation to the next. That’s the power of legacy.”
The Career Milestone Award is presented to a member of the Patrol who reaches a milestone in their career.
Lieutenant Darron F. Blankenship, Q/DDCC, reached the career milestone of conducting over 750 polygraph examinations. During his 27-year career with the Patrol, Lieutenant Blankenship helped obtain confessions for serious crimes and identified qualified candidates to become future troopers. He has played an essential part in the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s mission to serve and protect the people of Missouri.
Fred M. Mills MASTERS Public Service Award is presented to a member of the Patrol in recognition of their professional and personal service to the people of Missouri. This award is presented by the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society.
Corporal Joseph T. Peart, Troop I, has become a familiar and comfortable presence in his community, greeting everyone he meets with a smile and a handshake. He is an ambassador for the Special Olympics in Troop I and participates in all Super Plunges. In 2024, Corporal Peart raised nearly $7,000 for the Special Olympics. He has served as an assistant coach for the Missouri Special Olympics Track and Field USA team, as a member of the Missouri Special Olympics Torch Run Committee, and as the lead organizer for the Tip-A-Cop event.
Corporal Peart’s positive attitude and enthusiastic efforts to support the Special Olympics and his community prove his character and willingness to sacrifice his personal time to benefit others.
Fred M. Mills MASTERS Public Service Award honors Corporal Peart for both his professional and personal service to the citizens of Missouri.
The Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Public Service recognizes a civilian employee who has been actively involved in public service whether performed on or off the job.
Communications Operator Stephanie M. King has consistently proven her professionalism, resourcefulness, and responsibility while completing her role working the radio console. Additionally, she has assisted colleagues by staying late, coming in early, and working many hours of overtime in the Communications Division. Operator King attended First Responder Mental Health and Wellness training in 2024 and shared her knowledge with new Patrol employees. Outside of work, Operator King is a volunteer with the Missouri Law Enforcement Funeral Assistance Team. She has spent countless hours traveling the state assisting with funeral preparations for law enforcement members who lost their lives in the line of duty. Her dedication to serving the law enforcement community through her volunteer work exemplifies the Patrol’s Core Values.
The Patrol’s Lifesaving Award is presented to an active or retired employee who is distinguished by saving the life of another person. 30 Lifesaving Awards for actions taken in 2024 were presented.
CVO Supervisor Mark D. Counts and CVO Patrick W. Patterson, Troop E
On February 14, 2024, CVO Supervisor Mark D. Counts and CVO Patrick W. Patterson were at the Charleston weigh station when they were notified of a possible motor vehicle crash on Interstate 57. The call was soon determined to be a medical incident which was occurring in a truck located in a parking lot across the interstate from the weigh station. CVO Supervisor Counts grabbed the station’s automated external defibrillator, and he and CVO Patterson ran across the interstate to the scene. The man was unconscious, his eyes were closed, his skin was pale, and he was sweating profusely. CVO Patterson could not find a pulse. The AED advised not to shock but to perform CPR Because of the man’s size and the vehicle height, the officers could not move him to the ground. CVO Supervisor Counts and CVO Patterson improvised and performed four rounds of CPR with the man in the vehicle before the ambulance arrived. Emergency personnel were able to safely remove the man from the vehicle and transport him to the hospital. The man survived the incident.
CVO Steve A. Young, Troop E
On August 25, 2024, CVO Steve A. Young was driving on Interstate 55 when he saw a vehicle had traveled over the cable barrier and was resting in the median. He notified radio personnel of the crash and checked on the vehicle’s occupants. As he approached the driver, he saw that the male victim was bleeding profusely from a cut on his arm. CVO Young recognized the bleed was life-threatening and quickly returned to his patrol vehicle to retrieve his tourniquet. After he applied the tourniquet, he stayed with the injured man, keeping him calm and alert until an ambulance arrived. The man survived the incident.
Trooper Lucas J. Combs and Sergeant Christopher A. Kimes, Troop G
On October 29, 2024, Trooper Lucas J. Combs and Sergeant Christopher A. Kimes were dispatched to the home of a man making suicidal threats. Upon arrival, they were met by the man’s wife who told them her husband had been released from the hospital the day prior after a suicide attempt. She elaborated that he was still suicidal; had locked himself in a garage with a motor running; was armed with several weapons; and had threatened to shoot any officers who attempted to enter the home. Trooper Combs and Sergeant Kimes approached the garage where they encountered a strong odor emitting from under the garage door. They realized they had to act immediately because the man was actively attempting suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. Trooper Combs was able to lift one of the garage doors to gain entry where they found a semi-conscious man, armed with multiple knives and three loaded firearms. A lawn mower was running inside the garage, and there were empty pill bottles strewn across the floor, along with an open bottle of whiskey and a case of beer. Trooper Combs and Sergeant Kimes moved the man outside where he could breathe fresh air while waiting for an ambulance to transport him for medical treatment.
Trooper Reese E. Douthett and now retired Sergeant Michael D. Adams, Troop D
On June 9, 2024, Sergeant Michael D. Adams and Trooper Reese E. Douthett were notified by dispatch of a man trapped on top of his car, in quickly rising floodwaters. They promptly launched their inflatable rescue vessel and searched for the stranded victim. When they found him, only his upper body remained above water. Trooper Douthett guided the rescue vessel to the man so Sergeant Adams could pull him onboard. From there, they were able to safely reach the riverbank.
Trooper Resse E. Douthett and Trooper Robert W. Garrett, Troop D
On July 4, 2024, Trooper Reese E. Douthett and Trooper Robert W. Garrett were dispatched to the Niangua River for a group of kayakers and floaters who had been swept into fallen trees by swift waters and were unable to get to the riverbank. They launched a jet vessel to rescue the individuals and gave them personal flotation devices. Three trips were made to bring the eight stranded individuals to safety.
Trooper Evan C. Macomber and Trooper Robert W. Garrett, Troop D
On July 2, 2024, Trooper Robert W. Garrett made his way to Pomme de Terre River where a report of a group of floaters and their animals had overturned their vessel and required rescue. Trooper Evan C. Macomber heard the call as well, and because he was aware there were no other Marine Operations Troopers on duty to assist, he rushed to meet Trooper Garrett. Trooper Garrett operated the vessel and on approach, they found two women hanging onto a tree with one of the dogs. Another woman, man, and two more dogs were found downstream near the riverbank. Trooper Macomber helped the group and their pets onto the vessel, and they were transported to safety.
Trooper Garrett has since been promoted to corporal. Trooper Macomber has since transferred to Governor’s Security Division.
Trooper Nathan W. Downs and Corporal Travis N. Ziegler, Troop C
On January 5, 2024, when Trooper Nathan W. Downs and Corporal Travis N. Ziegler arrived at the scene of a crash, they found an unresponsive male in the vehicle. He had suffered a medical emergency while driving and did not have a pulse. Trooper Downs and Corporal Ziegler began performing CPR and continued until an ambulance arrived to transport the man to a nearby hospital. The man survived the incident.
Trooper Chase A. Fox, Troop F
On July 4, 2024, Trooper Chase A. Fox learned an elderly woman and her adult daughter had been riding a horse when they were swept off the equestrian trail by swift flowing water. While other emergency responders were waiting for all-terrain vehicles to arrive, Trooper Fox realized they may not rescue the women in time. Based on information from the reporting party, firefighters and Trooper Fox ran nearly two miles of equestrian trail, in full gear, to reach the victims. The women were found clinging to a downed tree surrounded by swift water. Trooper Fox assisted the firefighters to rescue the daughter first. While fire personnel threw a personal flotation device to the remaining victim, Trooper Fox relocated downstream and readied his water rescue throw bag. The victim slipped from the tree and fell into the moving water. Trooper Fox immediately deployed his throw bag as the female rapidly approached his position. The victim grasped a tree branch, which temporarily stabilized her. Trooper Fox remained calm and instructed the victim to take hold of his rope. The exhausted victim clutched Trooper Fox’s rescue rope as he and other responders pulled her from the rushing current.
Trooper Bailey N. Hunsicker, Troop F
On July 13, 2024, Trooper Bailey N. Hunsicker was off-duty, floating the James River with friends when she heard a commotion in the nearby water, followed by a woman’s scream for help. Quickly, she found an overturned canoe, wedged against a fallen tree, and submerged in the water. She observed an article of clothing in the branches underwater, so she decided to approach from downstream so she could get a better vantage point. She could see the victim’s face was completely underwater and turning purple. Without hesitation, Trooper Hunsicker entered the water and held the victim’s head up until further help arrived. She instructed her friends to form a human current break by standing upstream shoulder-to-shoulder; and was able to free the victim from the submerged tree so she could carry him to safety. Trooper Hunsicker then placed the man in the recovery position and began back blows to help him expel inhaled water. After ensuring his stability, Trooper Hunsicker guided emergency personnel to the location and reported on the victim’s condition. He was taken to a nearby hospital to recover.
Trooper Christopher R. Kottwitz, Troop B
On November 22, 2024, Trooper Christopher R. Kottwitz arrived at a home where he saw smoke rising from under the front door and heard a person yelling from inside. He was able to get the door to the home open, where he found a man had set a rug and couch on fire in an attempt to end his own life. Trooper Kottwitz used a fire extinguisher to put out the flames and assisted the man outside. Ambulance personnel arrived and transported the man to a nearby hospital to recover.
Trooper Nicholas I. Kucsik, Troop I
On December 4, 2024, Trooper Nicholas I. Kucsik heard 911 operators dispatch officers to a road rage incident that escalated into a stabbing. He rushed to the scene and found the stabbing victim being assessed by ambulance personnel. Trooper Kucsik retrieved his first aid kit from his patrol vehicle and applied gauze directly to the victim’s chest wound. He continued to keep pressure on the wound while waiting for a helicopter to arrive to transport the victim to the hospital. The man survived the incident.
Trooper Roan Oosthuizen, Troop C
On September 9, 2024, Trooper Roan Oosthuizen was in his patrol vehicle when he was approached by a man suffering from a chainsaw wound, with an arterial bleed. He retrieved his tourniquet and applied it above the wound, helping the man to remain calm until ambulance personnel arrived. The wounded man was transported to a nearby hospital where he recovered.
Trooper Colby B. Townsend, Troop I
On November 23, 2024, Trooper Colby B. Townsend arrived at a home where a man was suffering from self-inflicted lacerations to his neck. He retrieved gauze from his patrol vehicle and dressed the man’s injuries, applying pressure to the wounds until ambulance personnel arrived. The man was transported by helicopter to a hospital for recovery.
Corporal Jonathan M. Heimsoth and Sergeant Brian D. Foster, Troop G
On November 5, 2024, Corporal Jonathan M. Heimsoth and Sergeant Brian D. Foster received a call in Texas County regarding two individuals and five dogs trapped inside a cabin. Flood water had entered the first floor of the cabin, and the water was already approximately four feet deep. Due to the flash flooding, they were unable to get close to the cabin to launch their rescue boat. Sergeant Foster and Corporal Heimsoth drove approximately three quarters of a mile from the cabin where they were able to deploy their inflatable rescue boat into knee deep water. In an effort to reach the home, Corporal Heimsoth and Sergeant Foster were met with swift currents as well as five and six-foot surges. Upon arrival at the cabin, the men were able to ferry the stranded man, woman and their five dogs to safety.
Corporal Caleb M. Morgan and Sergeant Shayne K. Talburt, Troop E
On November 4, 2024, Corporal Caleb M. Morgan and Sergeant Shayne K. Talburt arrived at the scene of a water rescue on the Black Ridge River. They could see two men clinging to trees about a mile downstream. The swift currents, cold water, and high-water level presented considerable danger, not only to the victims, but also to Corporal Morgan and Sergeant Talburt. While navigating toward the stranded men, they encountered downed timber, utility poles and underwater barbed wire fences. The rescue was as challenging as it was dangerous, however, Corporal Morgan and Sergeant Talburt remained composed and worked together to get both stranded men safely to the riverbank.
Corporal Gary S. Sloan, Troop I
On April 18, 2024, Corporal Gary S. Sloan arrived at the scene of a crash on Highway 5, where he quickly assessed the scene and observed a nine-year-old girl bleeding profusely from a severe cut on her leg. He applied a tourniquet above her wound and stayed by her side to keep her calm until the ambulance arrived to transport her to a nearby hospital. She has since made a full recovery.
Corporal Sloan has since been promoted to sergeant.
Corporal Bruce E. Thoman, Troop A
On August 19, 2024, Corporal Bruce E. Thoman was driving on Interstate 29 when he saw a crash and a man lying on the roadside, bleeding extensively from his arm. He quickly grabbed the tourniquet from his patrol vehicle and applied it, staying with the man until the ambulance arrived. Later, Corporal Thoman learned the man had cut himself on glass at his home and was attempting to drive himself to the hospital when he crashed. The man survived the incident.
Sergeant Todd M. Barthelmass, Gaming Division
On February 24, 2024, Sergeant Todd M. Barthelmass responded when a man complaining of shortness of breath became unresponsive at the casino. He determined the casino patron did not have a pulse and began to administer CPR. Casino security personnel arrived and administered a shock through an automated external defibrillator, while Sergeant Barthelmass performed three rounds of CPR. The man regained a pulse and began breathing before he was taken to an area hospital to recover.
Retired Sergeant Frederick D. Bierer, Gaming Division
On March 19, 2024, Sergeant Frederick D. Bierer heard a call for assistance and rushed to the gaming floor where a man had fallen from his seat and become unresponsive. Unable to find the man’s pulse, casino security readied an automated external defibrillator and began CPR. Sergeant Bierer took over and performed eight rounds of CPR until emergency services arrived. The man survived the incident.
Sergeant Taremba Karizamimba, Troop E
On July 3, 2024, Sergeant Taremba Karizamimba was traveling on Interstate 55, when he observed several vehicles, including a tractor trailer, stopped in the roadway. Additionally, a motorcycle was lying on its side nearby. Upon his approach, he observed a female motorcyclist with an arterial bleed just below her knee. Sergeant Karizamimba retrieved his tourniquet and applied it above the victim’s knee to reduce blood loss. Sergeant Karizamimba remained with the woman until ambulance personnel arrived to transport her to a nearby medical facility. The quick and correct placement of the tourniquet undoubtedly saved the woman’s life. If not for his intervention, she would have quickly bled out at the scene of the crash.
Sergeant Keegan E. Kindle, Troop B
On August 9, 2024, Sergeant Keegan E. Kindle was off duty at the YMCA when staff alerted him to a man who had become unresponsive at the facility. Sergeant Kindle directed staff to call 911 and then assessed the man’s condition. He confirmed the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse, so he began CPR. YMCA staff members prepared an automated external defibrillator and delivered rescue breaths. Meanwhile Sergeant Kindle and an off-duty Moberly police officer continued life-saving efforts until ambulance personnel arrived to transport the victim to a nearby hospital.
Sergeant James A. Wilson, Troop E
On January 19, 2024, Sergeant James A. Wilson heard a call for a man with a gunshot wound. He responded quickly and found the man sitting on the floor of his home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the leg. His expedited response and correct application of the tourniquet saved the man’s life.
The Meritorious Service Award is presented to employees for exemplary service performed beyond the call of duty in unusual circumstances. 19 Meritorious Service Awards were presented.
Trooper Trey A. Gaedke and Trooper Justin D. Hedrick, Troop C
On September 6, 2024, Troop C received information that a man had taken a woman against her will in Texas, set her house on fire and may have fled to the St. Louis area. Trooper Trey A. Gaedke spotted the suspect vehicle on eastbound Interstate 44, east of Big Bend Road in St. Louis County. The suspect vehicle initially came to a stop, however, as Trooper Justin D. Hedrick was arriving at the scene, and as Trooper Gaedke approached the suspect vehicle on foot, the driver accelerated away. The troopers returned to their patrol vehicles and pursued the suspect vehicle before the driver lost control and crashed on South Rock Road. Trooper Gaedke arrived at the crash first and approached the vehicle, now resting on the driver’s side. Suddenly, the driver pushed open the door, displaying a handgun. Trooper Gaedke retreated for cover while ordering the driver to drop the weapon. The driver did not comply, and Trooper Gaedke began firing shots at the suspect with his duty weapon. As this occurred, Trooper Hedrick arrived and began to seek cover as the driver fired his gun. Trooper Hedrick also returned fire at the driver. Within a few moments, the driver was killed by gunfire, ending the threat. After further investigation, it was learned that the suspect had murdered the missing woman well before the attempted traffic stop.
Trooper Kristopher B. Geren, Trooper Peter D. Hummel, Corporal Brett D. Tappendorf, and Sergeant John R. Henry, Troop B
On January 24, 2024, Trooper Kristopher B. Geren, along with his Field Training Officer, Sergeant John R. Henry, were riding together when they were notified of a suspect who had fled from Illinois law enforcement. Trooper Geren and Sergeant Henry located the suspect vehicle, attempted to stop it, and a pursuit ensued. During the pursuit, the fleeing vehicle struck a tire deflation device and traveled a short distance before exiting U.S. 36 at Missouri 151 in Shelby County. The suspect vehicle crossed Missouri 151 and traveled down an embankment, where it became disabled. As Trooper Geren and Sergeant Henry crossed Missouri 151, the suspect fired a shot from a high-powered rifle, striking the driver’s side windshield directly above the steering wheel. Bullet and glass fragments struck Trooper Geren, and he received minor injuries to his left shoulder, face and head. Corporal Brett D. Tappendorf and Trooper Peter D. Hummel arrived and quickly positioned their patrol vehicles to provide cover for their fellow officers. The suspect fired a shot toward Corporal Tappendorf’s patrol vehicle, striking near the passenger headlamp. Corporal Tappendorf and Trooper Hummel exited their vehicles and responded by firing their Patrol-issued rifles at the suspect, who fired a third round from his rifle. After being struck by rounds fired by Corporal Tappendorf and Trooper Hummel, the suspect surrendered. Further investigation discovered a Ruger rifle, a partially loaded magazine and an unspent round. Two additional rifles, a shotgun, and ammunition were also found in the suspect’s vehicle.
Trooper Eric A. Goans, Troop I
On May 11, 2024, Trooper Eric A. Goans stopped a woman for traveling 99 miles-per-hour and observed indicators of criminal activity. He asked the driver to join him in the patrol vehicle to continue the investigation. During their interaction, the driver made claims of various government assassination attempts against her and her family, spy efforts into her life and other terroristic actions by elected officials. During a consent search, Trooper Goans found an AR-style rifle with three loaded magazines, a handgun with three loaded magazines, hygiene products, a trauma first-aid kit, medical supplies, and a supply of food. Trooper Goans’ investigation determined the driver possessed the desire and means to attempt a mass shooting and that he likely interdicted while en route to carry out an act of violence. He believed she posed a danger to government officials, law enforcement, and the public. Trooper Goans arrested the driver, and the driver was later charged with making a terrorist threat in the first degree.
Trooper Joshua J. Schuenemeyer, Trooper Dylon M. Wyatt, and Corporal Jayson R. Spain, Troop E
On March 10, 2024, Trooper Dylon M. Wyatt stopped a vehicle for a registration violation in Cape Girardeau when he noticed a 15-year-old girl in the backseat with plastic restraints around her wrists and ankles. The driver, identified as the mother of the child, suggested the child had restrained herself and claimed she suffered from mental and physical ailments. Regardless, Trooper Wyatt was concerned about the child’s safety and called the Missouri Department of Social Services to respond to the scene. Trooper Joshua J. Schuenemeyer and Corporal Jayson R. Spain also responded to assist with the call. Once on scene, Trooper Schuenemeyer worked to keep the girl calm, offering her water and building rapport. Trooper Wyatt, Trooper Schuenemeyer, and Corporal Spain soon joined the Children’s Division in an inspection of the child’s home. The condition of the house was deplorable, and narcotics were found in a bedroom. The home was determined to be inadequate for the girl, especially given her disabilities. The mother was taken into custody for possession of a controlled substance and the girl was placed into the care of other family members.
Trooper Wyatt has since been promoted to corporal.
Trooper Joseph C. Southwood, Troop I
On May 31, 2024, Trooper Joseph C. Southwood responded to a crash on Interstate 44 where a woman admitted to being involved in the crash and was intoxicated. The driver made suicidal statements, walked back to her vehicle and retrieved an AK-style rifle. Trooper Southwood restrained her, ordering her to drop the weapon. She refused and continued to struggle. Trooper Southwood maintained control of the weapon while it was still in the subject’s hands, removed the magazine and cycled the weapon to remove the chambered round. Trooper Southwood threw the driver to the ground, which caused her to release her grip on the gun. Trooper Southwood subsequently arrested the driver. The driver made several attempts to escape custody and later assaulted a nurse at the hospital. The driver was ultimately charged with six felony offenses, including attempted assault 1st degree, armed criminal action and unlawful use of a weapon.
Corporal Brandon L. Harris, Troop F, Corporal Brent J. Fowler, Corporal Gavin C. Leach, Sergeant Andrew J. Mayer, Troop C
On December 20, 2024, Lewis County law enforcement was notified of a homicide suspect located in a residence in La Belle. Subsequently, Lewis County Sheriff’s Office received a call from a woman being assaulted at the same residence. The woman was able to escape and confirmed the identity of the suspect and advised he was in possession of rifles. The suspect had an active felony warrant and was the suspect in the homicide of his wife. Lewis County Sheriff requested Troop C and Troop F SWAT. Before the SWAT teams could arrive, the suspect began shooting at officers. Once Troop C and Troop F SWAT arrived on the scene, they established a perimeter. Over several hours, crisis negotiators tried to reach a peaceful solution with the suspect, but he continued to fire at officers, striking both BearCat vehicles multiple times. Later that night, the suspect ran from the house with a rifle towards Corporal Gavin C. Leach. Corporal Leach and Sergeant Andrew J. Mayer fired at the suspect while Corporal Brent J. Fowler and Corporal Brandon L. Harris exited the BearCat and commanded the suspect to surrender. The suspect did not comply and was fatally wounded.
Corporal Nicholas W. March, Troop F
On February 9, 2024, Corporal Nicholas W. March responded to a wrong-way driver report and observed the vehicle traveling north in the southbound lanes of U.S. 63 in Boone County. Corporal March continued northbound on U.S. 63 and used his emergency lights and spotlight to illuminate the vehicle to gain the driver’s attention. The driver briefly looked at the patrol vehicle but continued traveling in the wrong direction at approximately 70 miles per hour. As Corporal March accelerated ahead of the wrong-way vehicle, he utilized a median crossover to travel south on U.S. 63. Corporal March saw the wrong-way driver was traveling towards him and not stopping. He turned his steering wheel into the path of the wrong-way vehicle, striking it on the driver’s side.
The driver was not injured and was arrested for driving while intoxicated. Later, the driver’s blood-alcohol content was checked at nearly twice the legal limit.
Corporal Roberto A. Rizo and Sergeant Nolan A. Bax, Troop F
On October 5, 2024, Corporal Roberto A. Rizo was patrolling on westbound U.S 54 in Callaway County when he was nearly struck head-on by a wrong-way driver. He notified Troop F Communications and began driving east to intercept the driver and to warn other motorists. The driver failed to yield to Corporal Rizo’s emergency lights and continued in the wrong direction. Sergeant Nolan A. Bax and several officers from different agencies joined the efforts to stop the vehicle. The driver ignored several emergency vehicles and Sergeant Bax ultimately used his patrol car to strike the rear of the wrong-way vehicle. The driver continued toward Corporal Rizo’s patrol car and Sergeant Bax advised Corporal Rizo to end the threat. Corporal Rizo struck the wrong-way vehicle nearly head-on. The driver was found to be uninjured and, based on several indicators, placed under arrest for driving while intoxicated.
Corporal Michael A. White, Troop C
On December 15, 2024, Corporal Michael A. White took the initiative to contact a woman by phone after she evaded officers and threatened suicide. Based on previous reports, the woman was believed to be in possession of a handgun while driving in the Franklin County area. During Corporal White’s attempts to speak with the woman on the phone, she repeatedly threatened suicide and hung up several times. Utilizing the training he received as a crisis negotiator, Corporal White drove to the home of the woman’s boyfriend to obtain more information. On Corporal White’s way, a nearby resident reported that the woman had a gun and was beating on his house. It was alleged that the female was threatening to kill herself in front of the caller if he came outside. Corporal White quickly responded to the scene and discovered the woman outside the home with a handgun. Corporal White convinced her to drop the gun without incident. He subsequently transported her to the hospital where she was provided with the medical help she required.
Every year, a civilian of the year is chosen. The 2024 Matilda “Tillie” Sonnen Civilian Of The Year is Chief Operator John D. Hamilton, Troop D.
Retired Chief Operator John D. Hamilton, Troop D, remained committed to the growth and betterment of Patrol throughout his 29-year career. As a result of his vast knowledge of communications protocols Chief Operator Hamilton was able to devise strategies to improve efficiency, and officer response times were expedited. He engineered better ways to provide troopers with vital information during times of crisis. Chief Operator Hamilton was instrumental in the creation of a Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System (MULES) training unit. In his role as Chief Operator, he further exemplified the core values of the Patrol at conferences and committees across the United States. Although he retired this year, the impact Chief Operator Hamilton made in his decades of dedicated service will continue to stretch far beyond Troop D.
Every year, an officer of the year is chosen. The 2024 Benjamin Oliver Booth Officer Of The Year is Corporal Kyle A. Seabaugh, Q/DDCC.
Corporal Kyle A. Seabaugh, a 15-year veteran of the Patrol, is assigned to the Special Victims Unit of the Division of Drug and Crime Control, where he primarily investigates crimes related to the sexual exploitation of children. One example of Corporal Seabaugh’s persistence came to fruition in October 2024, when a suspect he had been investigating since 2021 was found guilty of 23 charges, including first-degree sex trafficking of a child, first-degree statutory sodomy, and first-degree rape. He worked diligently to identify the children depicted in child sexual abuse materials (CSAM) through skin marks and other physical characteristics, as well as proving that the inside of a residence, beds, sheets, blankets, and more were depicted in the CSAM. With the help of an FBI expert, Corporal Seabaugh was able to identify the suspect by linking the hands of the adults in the CSAM to the suspects, despite their faces not being visible in the videos. The suspect was sentenced to 23 consecutive life sentences in Henry County. Another suspect in the case is awaiting trial for her involvement. In May 2024, Corporal Seabaugh helped an 86-year-old widow who was victim of a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. The suspect stole $20,000 after gaining control of her computer and banking information. Corporal Seabaugh took extraordinary steps to track the suspect and recover the victim’s funds. Corporal Seabaugh has a proven record of resourcefulness, leadership, and compassion for protecting the most vulnerable victims in our society.
The Valor Award is presented to an employee who performs an extraordinary act of heroism in a situation involving considerable danger to the employee and the possibility of injury or death to citizens or other officers. Three Valor Awards were presented.
Corporal Louis B. Lairmore, Corporal Joseph A. Pithan, and, now retired Corporal Gregory K. Tesch, Gaming Division
On April 14, 2024, while on-duty at the Ameristar Casino in Kansas City, Corporal Gregory K. Tesch, Corporal Joseph A. Pithan, and Corporal Louis B. Lairmore were notified of a male suspect pointing a firearm at patrons. Corporal Tesch located the suspect, grabbed him from behind and struggled for possession of the gun. During the fight, the suspect directed the firearm towards Corporal Tesch’s head. Upon his arrival, Corporal Pithan gained control of the suspect’s shoulders and along with Corporal Tesch, tackled the suspect to the floor. The suspect dropped the gun but continued to resist arrest. Upon his arrival, Corporal Lairmore used physical control techniques to restrain the suspect, allowing Corporal Pithan to handcuff the suspect and Corporal Tesch to secure the firearm. It was later discovered that the weapon had been loaded with nine rounds, with one in the chamber.
Corporal Lairmore has since been promoted to sergeant.