JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – Erik Otto, an interpretive resource coordinator with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of State Parks, is the State of Missouri and Department of Natural Resources Team Member of the Month for April 2026. He was selected for his service to the department and for his actions immediately following a helicopter crash at Meramec State Park.
On Jan. 29, 2026, Otto was one of three Missouri State Parks team members, along with a private pilot, conducting an aerial ecological survey of Meramec State Park in a helicopter, which crashed into the Meramec River near the end of the flight.
Immediately after the crash, Otto sprang into action to lead fellow team members and the pilot away from the wreckage and frigid temperatures of the Meramec River. He directed everyone to shed their winter coats and swim to a nearby ice shelf where they were able to get to shore.
“Erik is truly an extraordinary individual, and we were incredibly lucky to have him with us in that situation,” said Ron Colatskie, a natural resource ecologist who was a passenger on the helicopter, and who nominated Otto for the award. “If he was not with us that day, I can’t guarantee that all of us would have made it out alive and back home to our families.”
Using his extensive knowledge of the area, Otto led the group away from the river and into the woods. He ran ahead, in deep snow and with only one shoe, where he found a road, flagged down a vehicle and used the driver’s cellphone to call emergency services and direct them to their location. He also instructed the driver to honk the car horn so the group would know which direction to go because they were still far behind.
Thankfully, none of the passengers on the helicopter suffered serious injuries. They received medical care at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital after receiving assistance from Missouri State Park Rangers and emergency personnel.
“Erik’s actions that day were truly heroic,” said Alex Kovac, a deputy regional director with MoDNR’s Division of State Parks, who also nominated Otto for the award. “Given the extreme conditions, every minute counted, and he undoubtedly made a harrowing experience less impactful to all who were involved.”
Otto joined the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in May 2002 and resides in Union.