MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. John J. Hotz
522016-1 (573) 526-6115

May 2, 2016
EMPHASIS: Patrol Honors 26 Employees At Annual Banquet

Colonel J. Bret Johnson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to recognize the 26 employees honored at the Patrol's annual awards and The MASTERS banquet this past weekend. Family, friends, and members of The MASTERS (Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society) gathered at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO. The Troop E Color Guard presented the colors while retired Chief Operator Roger M. Heard played the bagpipes. Tpr. Andrew A. Armstrong, Troop F, sang the national anthem. Pastor Jerry Freye, Church of the Nazarene in Eldon, MO, gave the invocation and benediction. Governor Jay Nixon attended the event and addressed the audience; Mr. Bob Welsh provided the keynote. Colonel Johnson presented the Patrol awards; President of The MASTERS and retired Colonel Fred M. Mills presented The MASTERS Public Service Award.

Descriptions of the awards are as follows:


The MASTERS Public Service Award
Corporal Joseph T. Peart, Troop I

Corporal Joseph T. Peart, Troop I, is involved with numerous public service-oriented programs on both a local and state level. In his hometown community, Cpl. Peart is active within the Cuba school system. He was instrumental in organizing the “Cruise with a Cop” program, which established a system for students to earn points based on good behavior. Students with enough points enjoy treats at Sonic or McDonald’s with Cpl. Peart and area troopers. Additional points will allow a student to participate in “Team Time,” an interactive sports program where students play basketball or dodge ball with local officers. Cpl. Peart and the other officers take these opportunities to visit with the students about school, hobbies, and other areas of interest. Cpl. Peart often stops by the schools in his zone to eat lunch with the students and interact with all of them, not just students who have earned points in the Cruise with a Cop program.

He is connected with the youth in the community through 4-H, shaping future leaders in the livestock production program. Cpl. Peart is heavily involved with Special Olympics Missouri, selling T-shirts, setting up a troop-wide raffle of donations from area outdoor canoe outfitters in Crawford County, and organizing a 5K Hot Foot Pursuit benefit run. He uses personal time to organize monthly sporting events for Special Olympic athletes and their families, and stays in touch with the athletes regularly. He assists the athletes in their preparation for spring games at the Cuba track and hosts pizza parties to show support for them.

The MASTERS Public Service Award was created to emphasize the importance of public service. The award honors a member whose actions strengthen the Patrol’s motto of “Service and Protection.” In 2015, that member was Corporal Joseph T. Peart, Troop I.

Career Milestone
Trooper Ronald W. Eakins, Troop E

Presented to Trooper Ronald W. Eakins, this award recognizes Tpr. Eakins’ commitment to highway safety through DWI enforcement.

Memorial Award
Trooper James M. Bava, Troop F

Trooper James M. Bava, Troop F, 25, was killed in a traffic crash at approximately 8:30 a.m. on August 28, 2015. He was on Missouri Route FF in Audrain County, MO, attempting to overtake a motorcycle traveling at a high rate of speed when he traveled off the left side of the roadway and crashed.

Tpr. Bava is remembered as a quiet, humble man with a strong Christian faith, generous smile, and a sharp mind. What few words he spoke were consistently kind and uplifting. He shared his faith and his sense of humor regularly. Tpr. Bava was close to his family and because of their close relationships had a tremendous capacity to love others.

Tpr. Bava served and protected the citizens of Missouri with honor and bravery. He is the 31st member of the Patrol to make the ultimate sacrifice. He is survived by his fiancée, his parents, a brother, and three sisters.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Sergeant Frederick D. Bierer, Q/GD

On November 17, 2015, an elderly patron at the Isle of Capri Casino in Cape Girardeau, MO, collapsed while seated at a table game after an apparent heart attack. Sergeant Frederick D. Bierer, Q/GD, Corporal William C. Fox, Q/GD, and casino employees immediately responded to the scene. The patron was found unresponsive and had no pulse, so Sgt. Bierer, casino emergency medical technicians, and an off-duty nurse (patron) began administering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. After several rounds of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and two separate shocks from an automated external defibrillator, the patient regained a pulse and began breathing on his own. An ambulance arrived and transported the patient to a local hospital. The man has since recuperated.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Corporal Kyle D. Wilmont, Troop I

On May 28, 2015, Corporal Kyle D. Wilmont, Troop I, and Dent County deputies responded to a residence after a report of an unresponsive female. Upon arriving, Cpl. Wilmont located the female in a recliner. She was unresponsive and was not breathing. Cpl. Wilmont spoke to her, but she did not respond. He located a low, weak pulse at her carotid artery, then noticed the female was breathing very slow, shallow breaths every 10 seconds. Over the next five to 10 minutes, Cpl. Wilmont administered vigorous sternum rubs as needed to restore the female to consciousness and made sure her head was tilted back in order to open her airway. Medical personnel arrived and transported her to Salem Memorial District Hospital. The paramedics indicated Cpl. Wilmont’s action saved this woman’s life.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Christopher S. Giacolone, Troop I
Trooper Robert A. Rizo, Troop I
Corporal Evan T. Hane, Troop I
Sergeant Steven W. Cunningham, Troop I


On August 29, 2015, a train struck a pedestrian near the Arlington train crossing. Sergeant Steven W. Cunningham and Trooper Robert A. Rizo arrived to find a man in his mid-20s being treated by an Army reservist who lived nearby. When the train struck the pedestrian, both his legs were amputated. The troopers immediately began assisting the reservist with tourniquets and Tpr. Rizo requested a Life-Line helicopter. Corporal Evan T. Hane and Trooper Christopher S. Giacolone arrived, enabling Sgt. Cunningham to begin investigating the incident. Cpl. Hane and Tprs. Rizo and Giacolone added additional tourniquets and provided Quik-Clot to prevent further loss of blood. Troopers and emergency medical personnel then took turns transporting the injured man by backboard approximately three-quarters of a mile over difficult terrain to where the helicopter had landed. The man was flown to Columbia, MO, for treatment. He survived the incident.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Clinton R. Capps, Troop I

On September 7, 2015, Trooper Clinton R. Capps, Troop I, overheard radio traffic regarding a despondent female on the Missouri Route J overpass of Interstate 44. A Bourbon, MO, police officer was on the scene and requesting assistance. Tpr. Capps responded to the scene along with a Crawford County deputy. When Tpr. Capps arrived, the female was hanging from the bridge railing directly above the westbound lanes of Interstate 44. It became apparent that she intended to release her grip, so the officers took action. The Bourbon officer grabbed the female’s left arm, the deputy caught her right arm, and Tpr. Capps grabbed her waistband. Together, the three officers pulled the female to safety.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Corporal Dustin L. Lyle, Q/DDCC
Trooper Steven J. Force, Troop H

On April 9, 2015, Corporal Dustin L. Lyle, Q/DDCC, and Trooper Steven J. Force, Troop H, were made aware of a medical emergency in the parking lot at Troop H Headquarters. Upon responding to the scene, they found the Leon Uniform representative sitting in a parked vehicle. He was unconscious and appeared to have had a heart attack. Cpl. Lyle and Tpr. Force removed the man from his vehicle with the help of Sergeant Stuart D. Black, Q/GD. Cpl. Lyle and Tpr. Force then performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until they detected a faint pulse. St. Joseph Fire Department arrived and used an automated external defibrillator and the man regained consciousness. An ambulance arrived and took over the man’s care. He was transported to the hospital and has since recovered.


2015
Lifesaving Award
Corporal Brandon W. Adamson, Troop F
Sergeant Ryan S. Thompson, Troop F

On May 1, 2015, Corporal Brandon W. Adamson and Sergeant Ryan S. Thompson, both Troop F, were patrolling on Missouri State Route J south of Interstate 70 in Montgomery County. After observing a violation, they initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle. The conversation with the driver and his passenger led the troopers to suspect the presence of illegal narcotics. Cpl. Adamson placed the driver in the front seat of his patrol car and the passenger in the back seat. While Cpl. Adamson began searching the violator’s vehicle, Sgt. Thompson struck up a conversation with the passenger, who lost consciousness and fell from the vehicle. Cpl. Adamson and Sgt. Thompson notified Troop F and began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The passenger began breathing on his own and was placed in the recovery position only to stop breathing again, at which time cardiopulmonary resuscitation resumed. This occurred several times before the ambulance arrived and he was stabilized. Later, it was learned the passenger had consumed an unknown quantity of controlled substances.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Adam W. Poulson, Troop D

On June 2, 2015, Trooper Adam W. Poulson overheard radio traffic regarding an injury traffic crash near where he was on patrol. He responded to the scene and made contact with a female vehicle occupant and officers from other departments who were on the scene. The vehicle was on its top and the female was lying on her stomach on the interior roof of the vehicle. Tpr. Poulson spoke with the female, provided paper towels when she asked to be able to wipe blood from her nose, but decided against moving her due to the potential for a spinal injury. While waiting for emergency medical personnel to arrive, the female’s lips and cheeks started to turn blue, and she stopped breathing. Concerned for her life, the officers removed her from the vehicle in order for Tpr. Poulson and a Greene County deputy to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Shortly thereafter, the female’s pulse returned. Emergency medical personnel arrived and transported her to Cox Hospital.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Evan L. Tyrrell, Troop D
Corporal Todd A. Hadlock, Troop D

On August 24, 2015, Trooper Evan L. Tyrrell and Corporal Todd A. Hadlock responded to a residence in Branson, MO, after being notified of a suicidal subject. Upon arriving at the residence, a man informed them that the suicidal woman was in the bathroom. When there was no response to his knock on the bathroom door, Tpr. Tyrrell attempted to open the door, but discovered it was blocked. He was able to see a woman lying on the floor, facedown with the shower curtain over her. She was not moving and did not appear to be breathing. Tpr. Tyrrell removed the bathroom door from its hinges and pulled the female from the bathroom. After removing a ligature from her neck, it was determined that she was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Tpr. Tyrrell and Cpl. Hadlock performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived. Once her pulse returned, she was transported to Cox Hospital.

2015
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Robert W. Garrett, Troop D
Corporal David H. Brown, Troop D

Heavy rainfall caused widespread flash flooding in several areas of the state in December 2015. In the early hours of December 27, 2015, marine operations troopers responded to the Missouri Highway 251 bridge over the Pomme de Terre River in Polk County. A man had been caught in a strong current and had become stranded in the timber. Tpr. Robert W. Garrett and Cpl. David H. Brown, both Troop D, launched a jet boat to search for him. The strong current necessitated specific, tactical maneuvers in order to reach the stranded man. Tpr. Garrett kept the boat steady while Cpl. Brown used a flashlight to search for the stranded man, who was located 10 feet above the water level, and then gave instructions to him. Exhausted and hypothermic, the man slipped as he climbed down toward the boat and fell into the water. Cpl. Brown laid prone on the bow and submerged both arms into the swift water. Miraculously, he was able to catch the man by his hair and an arm and pull him onto the bow. Tpr. Garrett then skillfully guided the boat to shore where emergency medical services personnel were waiting.

2015
Meritorious Service Award
Trooper Timothy C. Fick, Troop F
Trooper William R. Plumley, Troop F

On July 30, 2015, Trooper Timothy C. Fick located a stolen vehicle traveling westbound on U.S. Highway 54, at Route W in Miller County. The vehicle was occupied with two armed suspects, who had previously been involved in two armed robberies. The suspects fled at speeds over 130 miles per hour. When the suspects attempted to exit U.S. 54 at Missouri Route Y, the vehicle spun out into the median. Tpr. Fick took a position of cover and ordered the driver and passenger to exit. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and continued west on U.S. 54. Conscious of the pursuit’s location near Camdenton, Tpr. Fick adjusted his speed but maintained sight of the vehicle.

Trooper William R. Plumley, Troop F, joined the pursuit at Key Largo Road and U.S. 54. Near the Camden/Hickory county line, the suspects fired multiple shots toward officers. Near County Road 515 in Hickory County, the stolen vehicle suffered extensive damage, causing it to slow to approximately 30 miles per hour. While slowing, the driver discharged a firearm at a passing motorist, narrowly missing the occupants.

Immediately thereafter, Tpr. Plumley executed a forcible vehicle stop. The driver again produced a firearm and discharged it toward Tpr. Plumley. Tpr. Fick returned fire forcing the suspects to surrender.

2015
Meritorious Service Award
Trooper Jonathon P. Lynch, Troop H

On November 29, 2015, Trooper Jonathon P. Lynch and Trooper Adam J. Webb responded to assist the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department with a domestic disturbance call. The troopers arrived on the scene at the same time as two DeKalb County deputies. Immediately, the suspect exited the residence armed with a rifle. The officers gave numerous commands for the suspect to drop the weapon, and the suspect failed to comply. When the suspect pointed the rifle at officers, Tpr. Lynch and a deputy discharged their weapons. The suspect was fatally wounded in the exchange.

2015
Meritorious Service Award
Sergeant Casey E. Utterback, Troop A

On June 22, 2015, Sergeant Casey E. Utterback, Troop A, was traveling in his personal vehicle with his wife when he observed a truck become disabled in the intersection of Missouri Highway 131 and U.S. Highway 40. The female driver ran to his vehicle and attempted to open Sgt. Utterback’s door, yelling for him to exit his vehicle. She then reached through the open window and attempted to pull him out of the vehicle. He removed the keys from the ignition and handed them to his wife. He then pushed the female backward and opened the door.

The female ran to the next car and attempted to take it from the driver and was unsuccessful. At this time, Sgt. Utterback noticed the female’s disabled truck was rolling toward some vehicles. He and several citizens managed to prevent a crash and place the truck into park. Meanwhile, the female had forced her way into a vehicle and was sitting on top of the driver. Sgt. Utterback and a bystander removed the female suspect from the vehicle, at which time he identified himself as a Missouri state trooper. He and the bystander detained her until officers arrived. Prior to contact with Sgt. Utterback, the female and two males were suspects in a burglary, and were involved in a pursuit with a Lafayette County deputy prior to crashing their vehicle. She ran from that scene, stole a truck, and then crashed it before the truck became disabled.

2015
Civilian of the Year
Commercial Vehicle Officer II Randy E. Fain, Troop C

Commercial Vehicle Officer II Randy E. Fain, Troop C, began his career with the Patrol on May 11, 2003. Currently, he is assigned to portable scale truck #1507. CVO II Fain leads by example. In 2015, he conducted 1,069 inspections, of which 744 were level one inspections. In 2015, CVO II Fain weighed 155 trucks. This involves the extra effort of repositioning his eight scales on the roadside or in a parking lot in order to weigh the commercial vehicles. When citizens’ complaints involve commercial vehicles, CVO II Fain increases his enforcement efforts in that area. He is genuinely concerned with taking appropriate enforcement action and takes extra time to educate drivers when he stops them. He provides presentations to groups of all ages on topics involving commercial motor vehicles. CVO II Fain developed an excellent working relationship with the St. Louis City Police Department’s Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit in 2015. He coordinated several projects with them to inspect motor coaches. In November 2015, CVO II Fain attained certification allowing him to teach the Federal Passenger Vehicle Inspection course.

2015
Benjamin Oliver Booth Officer of the Year
Trooper Aaron A. Engelhart, Troop A

Presented to Trooper Aaron A. Engelhart, Troop A, in recognition of his exemplary service.

Trooper Aaron A. Engelhart was appointed to the Missouri State Highway Patrol on January 16, 2013. Currently, he serves and protects the citizens in Troop A, Zone 7, Jackson County. In 2015, Tpr. Engelhart made 175 driving while intoxicated arrests, 13 of which were for felony arrests. This is the highest number of driving while intoxicated arrests ever made in a single year by a member of the Patrol. In 2015, he accepted a work recognition award from Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Heartland Chapter honoring his efforts to remove impaired drivers from our roadways. Tpr. Engelhart has established himself as a leader among his peers. His enforcement activity generates an extreme amount of paperwork. His paperwork is submitted error free and includes a detailed account of the events prior to, during, and immediately following his enforcement contacts. He also responds to his share of reactive calls for service. In 2015, he investigated 67 traffic crashes and made 697 arrests, 19 of which were drug related. His professionalism and dedication to helping those in need generates calls from the public to troop staff expressing their appreciation.


2015
Valor Award
Trooper Jason M. Hurt, Troop C

While off duty and traveling in his personal vehicle, Trooper Jason M. Hurt, Troop C, observed a female standing on the side of County Road 327 in Monroe County, Missouri. He stopped and asked if he could assist her, and learned her boyfriend was intoxicated, angry, and attempting to commit suicide in a nearby cabin. A neighbor was at the cabin with her boyfriend trying to prevent this from happening. Tpr. Hurt responded immediately to the cabin and observed two men struggling over a rifle. Tpr. Hurt drew his handgun and identified himself as a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper, but the men continued struggling. Tpr. Hurt then holstered his handgun, took hold of the rifle, and disarmed the suicidal man. Tpr. Hurt took the man into custody, secured the scene, and contacted the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department. The man was transported to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation.


“The actions of the employees recognized at the banquet exemplified the core values of the Missouri State Highway Patrol,” said Col. J. Bret Johnson. “I am proud of each and every one of them, and appreciate how they served and protected the citizens of this great state.”

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