For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
Q 41811-1 (573) 526-6115

April 18, 2011
EMPHASIS: Patrol Honors 30 Employees At Annual Ceremony

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is proud to announce 30 employees were honored at the Patrol’s annual awards and The MASTERS banquet on April 16, 2011. Held at the Capitol Plaza Hotel in Jefferson City, MO, family, friends, and The MASTERS members gathered to honor the heroes of 2010. Major Luke Vislay, Q/CIB, served as emcee; Troop F’s Color Guard presented the colors while CTE Roger Heard, Troop H, played the bagpipes; Sergeant Steven V. Wilhoit, Q/DDCC, sang the National Anthem; Patrol Chaplain Pastor Robert A. “Bob” Knight, First Baptist Church, Cuba, MO, gave the invocation and benediction; and Colonel Replogle presented the awards. Mr. Douglas Mitchell, president of The MASTERS, presented The MASTERS Public Service Award. Governor Jeremiah W. (Jay) Nixon served as the evening’s keynote speaker.

Listed are the awards and descriptions:

2010
The MASTERS Public Service Award
Corporal Jason H. Glendenning, Troop I

The 2010 MASTERS Public Service Award recipient was Corporal Jason H. Glendenning, Troop I. He is currently assigned to Troop I, Zone 8, Phelps County. Additionally, Corporal Glendenning provides local schools with safety information and provides youth programs throughout the community.

Corporal Glendenning and his wife own and operate Riverfront Camp and Canoe on the Niangua River in Laclede County. Over the last few years, the Glendennings have used the resources of their business and property to raise money for cancer research. They organized adventure races to benefit the Curry Cancer Center being built at St. John’s Medical Center in Lebanon, Missouri. As the sponsor of the adventure races, Corporal Glendenning donated the resources of the business, and spent many long hours cutting and clearing trails for the running and cycling events. He also procured additional sponsors and advertised the event outside the local area. Over a three-year-period, their diligent efforts resulted in $8,500 being raised for the center.

As a member of the sports booster club at Joel E. Barber Elementary, he recognized the school’s need for athletic equipment and uniforms. With that cause in mind, the Glendennings continued the adventure races, raising in excess of $4,000 to date.

In 2008, after learning that a fellow trooper’s son was diagnosed with a brain tumor, the Glendenning family organized a float trip fundraiser. Annually, the Glendennings donate $1,000 worth of free camping and canoeing to the Stream Team, who work to keep rivers and streams clean of trash and debris. The Glendennings donate approximately $800 per year to various causes through gift certificates to their business.

Corporal Glendenning serves on the Lebanon Youth Football League’s Board of Directors, and serves as a wrestling and football coach. On his own time, he has worked with the faculty and staff of the local elementary school regarding the implementation of policies and procedures to make the facility safer.

2010
Memorial Award
Sergeant Joseph G. “Joe” Schuengel, Troop C

At approximately 11:10 a.m. on Friday, October 15, 2010, Sergeant Joseph G. “Joe” Schuengel, the pilot assigned to Troop C, Weldon Spring, was returning to the Spirit of St. Louis Airport. He had just completed an aircraft speed enforcement operation in Jefferson County when the Bell Jet Ranger helicopter he was piloting crashed near the intersection of Clarkson and Kehrs Mill Road in St. Louis County. Sergeant Schuengel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sergeant Joseph G. “Joe” Schuengel, 47, was a 17-year-veteran of the Missouri State Highway Patrol and served as a Patrol pilot for seven years. He is the 29th member of the Patrol to make the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the citizens of Missouri. He is survived by his mother and three sisters.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Clerk Typist II Jamie L. Eichholz, Troop C

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, Clerk Typist II Jamie L. Eichholz, Troop C, was visiting friends in Kingdom City, Missouri. One of her friends decided to mow the lawn, while the other and Ms. Eichholz were baking. When they didn’t hear the mower running, the two ladies became concerned and went to check on their friend. They found him on his lawnmower trapped underneath the garage door. Ms. Eichholz immediately called 9-1-1 for assistance. The garage door would not operate, so Ms. Eichholz and her friend used their backs to lift the door off him. Ms. Eichholz then held the door up as her friend searched for something to help prop up the door. They used a fryer and a two-by-four to pry the door up more. The two ladies were forced to hold the garage door up for 20 minutes while they waited for emergency services to arrive.

The garage door weighed 1,400 pounds. Prolonged pressure of that weight upon his chest could have easily taken this gentleman’s life. He sustained fractured ribs and numerous bruises as a result of the incident. Ms. Eichholz sustained numerous lacerations and bruises to her back as a result of holding the garage door for such a long time. Both have recovered fully.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Driver Examiner Supervisor Daniel L. Boyd, Troop D
Driver Examiner III Linda A. Bradley, Troop D

On February 24, 2010, Driver Examiner Supervisor Daniel L. Boyd and Driver Examiner III Linda A. Bradley were on duty at Springfield Park Central Driver Examination Station. At approximately 10 a.m., a gentleman collapsed outside the examination office. Supervisor Boyd and Examiner Bradley responded immediately.

Initially, the man was responsive and informed them he had felt his defibrillator shock him three times. When the gentleman became unresponsive, Supervisor Boyd and Examiner Bradley initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Supervisor Boyd performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation as Examiner Bradley executed chest compressions. Both Patrol personnel have been trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and Supervisor Boyd is a certified first responder. They continued cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived and transported the man to a local hospital. Unfortunately, the man succumbed to his medical condition.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Driver Examiner II Christina M. Royster, Troop A
Driver Examiner III Jennifer M. Whiting, Troop A

At approximately 7:55 a.m. on June 7, 2010, a Patrol employee choked on her breakfast in the foyer of Troop A Headquarters. Her airway was obstructed and she could not breathe. Driver Examiner II Christina M. Royster saw her choking and attempted to perform an abdominal thrust. Although some food was expelled, the employee continued to choke, and then collapsed onto the ground, semi-conscious. When Examiner Royster was unable to completely clear the airway, she called out for assistance. Driver Examiner III Jennifer M. Whiting approached the front desk area and saw Examiner Royster sitting behind her co-worker, attempting to place her arms around her in order to administer another abdominal thrust. Examiner Whiting grabbed the co-worker by her shirt and hoisted her into a sitting position. Examiner Royster then successfully performed an abdominal thrust a fourth time and cleared the airway. The employee gasped and immediately began breathing. She was later transported to the local hospital for evaluation.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Benjamin J. Blankenbeker, Troop F

On November 20, 2010, Corporal Steven R. Gisselbeck, Trooper Clinton R. Mistler, off-duty Trooper Benjamin J. Blankenbeker, and off-duty Osage Beach Sergeant David M. Schween met for lunch at Imo’s Pizza in Osage Beach, Missouri. After they finished eating, the group stood in the parking lot and talked. While they were visiting, a couple and two children began to get into a sport utility vehicle. As the father attempted to place a little girl into the car, she panicked and would not get into the vehicle. The parents became visibly upset and concerned about the child’s behavior. The mother made eye contact with the officers in a plea for help. The officers ran to the family and found the little girl was choking and had stopped breathing.

Trooper Blankenbeker immediately began to administer first aid to the frightened child. His first attempts to dislodge the obstruction were unsuccessful. However, Trooper Blankenbeker remained calm and continued to perform the lifesaving technique as the little girl began to turn blue and drool. Finally, Trooper Blankenbeker’s techniques began to work and the child was able to cry and cough as her color returned. Calmly, Trooper Blankenbeker remained with the child until the object became dislodged. Once the object, a chocolate covered peppermint, fell from the girl’s mouth, she continued to cry softly. After her color returned and she was breathing normally, Trooper Blankenbeker stood and spoke with the family.

As the parents expressed their appreciation, the mother asked Trooper Blankenbeker to show her the proper technique to assist a small child. Trooper Blankenbeker, a first aid instructor, calmly and professionally answered her questions. The parents refused further treatment for their child and left the scene.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Ricky Chapman, Troop A

On September 11, 2010, Benton County was experiencing heavy rain and flash flooding throughout the county. At 1:01 a.m., Trooper Ricky J. Chapman was advised that a motorist and her son had unexpectedly driven into high water at a low-water crossing on Missouri Route B south of Seven Hills Road. Trooper Chapman responded to the area and found the raging water was approximately 250 feet wide and in excess of two feet deep. The vehicle was stalled approximately 125 feet across the water, which was being diverted by a large debris pile. If the water continued to rise, the debris pile could fail, resulting in the vehicle being washed downstream.

Benton County Deputy Chad Eledge and Mr. Jeff Tolliver, a local tow truck driver, were also at the scene. After determining a water rescue could require an excessive amount of time, Trooper Chapman, the deputy, and the tow truck driver decided to attempt to rescue the woman and her son. Trooper Chapman and Mr. Tolliver locked arms, entered the water, and waded to the vehicle. Deputy Eledge transported a rope to Trooper Chapman and Mr. Tolliver to tie around each victim, then helped anchor the rope. Both the driver and her son were rescued from the vehicle. According to the officers and Mr. Tolliver, each time they took a step, the water moved their legs approximately two feet downstream, and remaining upright was a struggle.

2010 Lifesaving
Trooper Jeffrey T. Day, Troop B

On October 20, 2010, Trooper Jeffrey T. Day was at the Brookfield police dispatch speaking with a dispatcher about a male subject the police department had arrested earlier that day. Trooper Day could see the video monitor overlooking the detention area. He asked the dispatcher in which cell the subject was being held. The dispatcher looked at the monitor and observed what appeared to be the subject standing on the toilet located at the rear of the jail cell. Trooper Day attempted to make contact with the subject by knocking on the main door to the detention area. The dispatcher informed him the subject had not reacted and no movement was detected. Trooper Day then obtained the keys and entered the detention area. He observed the subject hanging by his neck by a belt from the ceiling bars of the jail. At this time, Trooper Day was joined by Officer Tom Bunnell of the Brookfield Police Department. While Trooper Day lifted the subject, Officer Bunnell cut the belt from the jail cell bar, thus freeing the subject. They placed the subject on the floor and Officer Bunnell began chest compressions. Trooper Day went to his car to retrieve his pocket mask in order to administer rescue breaths. Upon his return, he found the subject had responded to Officer Bunnell’s rescue breaths and was breathing on his own. The subject was treated by Linn County Ambulance personnel and transported for medical treatment. The subject has since recovered.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Russell R. Gibson, Troop E

On May 3, 2010, Trooper Russell R. Gibson was off duty and at home when a man knocked on his front door. The man informed him of a traffic crash approximately 300 yards from his residence on New Madrid County Road 824. Trooper Gibson asked his wife to notify Troop E for assistance and then ran to the scene. When he arrived at the scene, he observed a man lying in the middle of the gravel road, a sport utility vehicle partially submerged in a pond, and another man face down in the pond. Trooper Gibson recognized one of the men was in danger of drowning, so he entered the water, rolled the man over, and pulled him to shore. After making sure the man was breathing, he checked on the other man. Trooper Gibson’s wife, a licensed practical nurse, arrived and provided assistance to the two men. The two injured men were transported by air ambulance to Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau with serious injuries. Both gentlemen recovered fully.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Sergeant Joseph G. “Joe” Schuengel, Troop C
Trooper Jason M. Hurt, Troop C

On July 7, 2010, Sergeant Joseph G. “Joe” Schuengel was competing in a barrel race competition at the Sullivan Saddle Club. Then-Recruit Jason M. Hurt was also in attendance, watching his daughter compete. Both officers saw a man fall off his horse while waiting to compete. Sergeant Schuengel and Recruit Hurt rushed to the subject and evaluated his medical condition. Because the man had no pulse and was not breathing, the officers began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When Sullivan Police Department officers arrived, Sergeant Schuengel and Recruit Hurt learned the department had an automated external defibrillator (AED) at the police station less than a mile away, and requested it be brought to the scene. Once the AED was available, Recruit Hurt delivered a shock to the unconscious man. As a result, the man opened his eyes and took a breath. A Sullivan police officer informed them the ambulance was 15 minutes away, but the hospital was only a mile from them. Thus, the officers loaded the man in the back of Recruit Hurt’s pickup. While Recruit Hurt drove the man to the hospital, Sergeant Schuengel and two bystanders were in the bed of the pickup with him. Once at the hospital, emergency room personnel took charge of the patient. The man survived the incident. (Note: This award was presented posthumously to Sergeant Schuengel. A family member accepted it. Recruit Hurt graduated from the Academy in December 2010 and is now Trooper Hurt.)

2010
Lifesaving Award
Corporal Eric J. Keim, Troop A
Trooper David L. Johnson, Troop A

On December 2, 2010, Corporal Eric J. Keim joined a pursuit of a black, Ford F-150 pickup truck. Information indicated the driver of the truck was a suspect in a series of thefts in Warrensburg, Missouri, and still had stolen property in his possession. A check of the truck’s registration confirmed it was stolen from Blue Springs, Missouri. Corporal Keim joined Trooper David L. Johnson, Troop A, and Johnson County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Mark Lenger in the pursuit on U.S. Highway 50. The pursuit lasted approximately three miles at speeds up to 110 miles per hour. The truck was attempting to pass vehicles on the shoulder and was driving erratically. Just prior to the city limits of La Monte, Missouri, the truck turned into the median crossover at Missouri Highway 127, then began traveling the wrong direction on U.S. 50 exceeding 100 miles per hour. The truck nearly struck a tractor-trailer head on before driving back across the median and onto U.S. 50 going the correct direction. The driver then lost control of the truck and it began overturning. The truck traveled off the roadway and down an embankment where it caught fire. Corporal Keim and Trooper Johnson immediately approached the truck and observed that the driver was injured and not moving. Corporal Keim forced the driver’s side door open and they pulled the driver from the vehicle. During the rescue, Deputy Lenger deployed a fire extinguisher in an attempt to control the flames. After the driver was moved to a safe distance, Corporal Keim returned to the vehicle to recover some of the stolen property. He was successful in recovering evidence which will assist in the prosecution of the case.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Karime T. “Kari” McWilliams, Troop A

On August 14, 2010, Trooper Karime T. “Kari” McWilliams was off duty and at her family’s lake house at Lake of the Ozarks. She heard a man’s voice screaming loudly. Looking over at her neighbor’s dock, she saw a man’s head appear over the edge of the dock. Her neighbor was yelling for help. Trooper McWilliams sprinted to the end of the neighbor’s dock and found him attempting to lift an unconscious, heavy-set male out of the water and onto the dock. Trooper McWilliams’ father also heard the call for help and came to assist. As Trooper McWilliams and her father lifted the unconscious man out of the water and placed him on the dock, the man regained consciousness. Trooper McWilliams asked him a series of questions to determine his condition. She also made sure proper medical assistance was en route to treat him. The man recovered from the incident.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Corporal Mark G. Broniec, Troop F
Trooper Matthew E. Morice, Troop F

On April 22, 2010, Corporal Mark G. Broniec and Trooper Matthew E. Morice were parked at the emergency vehicle crossover located on Interstate 70 at the 166-mile marker. The troopers overheard Montgomery County communications dispatch an ambulance to the Interstate 70 median near the 165-mile marker for a reported unconscious MoDOT worker. Corporal Broniec and Trooper Morice responded immediately and found a man laying in the median with his coworkers performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Corporal Broniec and Trooper Morice took over resuscitation efforts. They performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation for approximately 10 minutes before a passerby stopped, identified himself as a Columbia firefighter and paramedic, and relieved Trooper Morice. Paramedics arrived on the scene and transported the man to the hospital. The man recovered from the incident.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Brock Vogt, Troop I

On September 11, 2010, Trooper Brock A. Vogt was traveling to the University of Missouri as part of the football detail. While driving, he overheard radio traffic regarding a medical emergency at Big O Tires in Rolla, Missouri. He went to the scene immediately, and found a man lying on the floor. The man was bleeding from the back of his head, was not breathing, and had no pulse. Trooper Vogt relieved a woman who had started cardiopulmonary resuscitation. When emergency personnel arrived, Trooper Vogt continued to assist them with resuscitation efforts until the man was taken by ambulance to the Phelps County Regional Medical Center in Rolla. He was then flown by helicopter to Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri, for treatment. The man recovered from the incident.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Kindel C. Ward, Troop E

On March 4, 2010, Trooper Kindel C. Ward was patrolling Scott County Road 529 when he met a silver Ford Focus traveling slowly in his lane. Trooper Ward noticed the interior light was on in the vehicle. When he met the vehicle, he could see the female driver appeared unconscious and one of the two young children in the vehicle was steering. Trooper Ward quickly parked his vehicle and ran back to the Ford. He could hear a child inside yelling for help as he approached. He was able to reach inside the driver’s window and force the vehicle into park. He then turned his attention to the driver, who was having a seizure. Trooper Ward removed the woman from the vehicle and laid her on the ground. He performed a head-tilt chin-lift, but she still did not breathe. Trooper Ward then gave two rescue breaths and she began to breathe. He then moved her into the recovery position, made sure she had a blanket to keep her warm, and waited for emergency medical services to arrive. Paramedics transported the woman to Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri, for treatment. She fully recovered from the incident.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Corporal Greg D. Kenley, Troop E

On September 24, 2010, Corporal Greg D. Kenley was driving south on Interstate Drive in Miner, Missouri, when he saw a Dayton Freight Lines tractor-trailer stopped on the roadway with its flashers operating. As he drove slowly past the truck, a man waved him down. After parking his patrol car in a nearby driveway, Corporal Kenley approached the gentleman to see what he needed. The two men at the truck explained that a third man, who was a passenger in the truck, had collapsed in the passenger seat and was not responsive. Corporal Kenley checked for breathing and a pulse, but could not detect either. Corporal Kenley contacted Troop E and requested an ambulance. Then, he and one of the other men removed the unresponsive man from the truck, laid him on the road, and began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The Scott County Ambulance Service arrived and eventually took over resuscitation efforts. They then transported him to the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston, Missouri. Unfortunately, the gentleman did not survive.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Sergeant Dale E. Knox, Q/GD

On September 2, 2010, Sergeant Dale E. Knox and his father were attending the football game at Missouri Western University in St. Joseph, Missouri. They were there to watch their son and grandson, who is a wide receiver. While waiting at the entrance to the stadium, Sergeant Knox’s father grabbed onto him and lost consciousness from an apparent heart attack. Sergeant Knox immediately began cardiopulmonary resuscitation. An ambulance and paramedics arrived and emergency workers successfully revived his father, who has since recovered fully from the heart attack.

2010
Lifesaving Award
Sergeant Russell A. ‘Sammy’ Seaton, Q/GD

On July 24, 2010, Sergeant Russell A. “Sammy” Seaton was off duty and at home. One of his neighbors contacted him to tell him another neighbor had collapsed while mowing his lawn. Sergeant Seaton immediately called emergency services on his cell phone as he went to the scene. He found his neighbor unconscious, and noted the man was not breathing and did not have a pulse. Sergeant Seaton initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation and continued until emergency services personnel arrived. Sergeant Seaton’s concern for his neighbor led him and his wife to travel to the hospital to provide support for the man’s wife. Unfortunately, his neighbor did not survive.


2010
Meritorious Service Award
Trooper Travis N. Garton, Troop H

On November 8, 2010, Trooper Travis N. Garton was off-duty and at his residence. His wife arrived home and informed him that she could hear yelling and thought someone was being assaulted at the duplex across the street. While his wife called 9-1-1, Trooper Garton walked across the street to await the Cameron Police Department’s arrival. While waiting outside the residence, he overheard screaming, furniture being knocked over, and a female calling for help. Trooper Garton then walked to the apartment, and finding the door unlocked, entered the apartment. Inside, he found a man on top of a female using both hands to choke her. Trooper Garton instructed the man to get off the female as he pulled him away. He identified himself and then told the man to be seated in a chair. The female retreated down a hallway to find her children. The man attempted to go around Trooper Garton and began yelling obscenities at the trooper. Trooper Garton returned the man to the chair. Still yelling obscenities, the man attempted to go around Trooper Garton once again. Trooper Garton then took control of the man by placing him in a lateral vascular neck restraint. He took the man to the floor as the man lost consciousness. Trooper Garton maintained control of the man as he regained consciousness and became verbally abusive yet again, until the Cameron Police Department arrived. The man was then taken into custody. The female informed officers that the man recently had been released from jail for assault, and that she thought he was going to kill her during this incident. The man later took his own life while awaiting evaluation.

2010
Meritorious Service Award
Sergeant William P. “Bill” Bremer, Troop A

On November 16, 2010, Sergeant William P. “Bill” Bremer became aware of a vehicle pursuit by the Holden Police Department after a report of an attempted burglary. The suspect shot at the Holden police officer’s vehicle during the pursuit. Sergeant Bremer joined the pursuit, and quickly became the primary pursuit officer. The suspect’s vehicle became disabled and stopped near a residence. The suspect immediately opened his door and fired at least one shot, striking the windshield of Sergeant Bremer’s patrol car. Sergeant Bremer drew his service weapon and fired approximately three shots through his front windshield while seated in his vehicle. He then notified Troop A that shots had been fired before firing four more shots at the suspect vehicle. Sergeant Bremer exited his vehicle and took cover as the suspect’s vehicle began rolling toward the patrol car. Sergeant Bremer fired again at the vehicle before retreating to the rear of his patrol car to reload his weapon. Following a three-hour standoff, the suspect shot and killed himself inside his vehicle. The investigation revealed bullets struck the suspect’s vehicle approximately seven times. The remaining shots impacted in the area where the driver appeared as he fired upon Sergeant Bremer. The suspect, a 23-year-old man, had been released from Bates County Jail the day before the shooting. His criminal record was lengthy and included burglary.

(Continued on Part 2 of 2)