NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Capt. J. Tim Hull
(573) 526-6115
Q4073
April 23, 2007
EMPHASIS: 13 Honored At Patrol Annual Awards Ceremony

Colonel James F. Keathley is proud to announce 13 employees were honored at the Patrol’s 17th annual awards banquet on April 21, 2007. Held at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, MO, family, friends, and The MASTERS members gathered to honor the heroes of 2006. Major Bob Bloomberg, Q/TSB, served as emcee; Troop C’s Honor Guard presented the colors while CTE Roger Heard, Troop H, played the bagpipes; Tpr. John H. Lueckenhoff, Troop D, sang the National Anthem; Patrol Chaplain Scott Cooper, from Capital City Christian Church, gave the invocation and benediction; and Colonel Keathley presented the awards. Mr. Jack Pahlmann, president of MASTERS, presented The MASTERS Public Service Award. Listed are the descriptions and awards:

The MASTERS Public Service Award
Lieutenant James E. McNiell, Troop E.

Lt. James E. McNiell has unselfishly devoted his time and energy to his community and state as an officer of the law and as a private citizen. His honesty and professionalism sets himself apart from his peers.

Professionally, he is a 29-year veteran with the Patrol currently assigned to Troop E. Lt. McNiell handles the daily operations of the Troop E Service Center, is an assistant drug testing officer, handles troop reconstructions, and coordinates Troop E’s chaplaincy program. He is responsible for the organization and implementation of the annual Torch Run in Southeast Missouri involving multiple agencies. He is also tenacious in his investigations. Lt. McNiell used the media, reward flyers, and good investigative skills to solve a leaving the scene of a fatality accident. His investigation began in December 2003, and the case was closed November 2006. Since 1993, Lt. McNiell coordinates a contingent of officers each year at the Annual Sikeston Jaycee Bootheel Rodeo, which brings in 40,000 spectators and participants over a four-day period.

Personally, Lt. McNiell has been known to assist volunteers selling Torch Run T-shirts while off duty. He is active in the Fellowship Baptist Church in Sikeston, where he has served as a deacon for the past 14 years and serves the church on numerous committees. He has been a member of the Gideon’s Organization since 1997. Because of his friendly demeanor and attitude, many have turned to him in their time of need. He is always willing to talk to young people and has established a reputation of being a person groups can call upon when they need a speaker for a special occasion.

It is the feeling of the board of The MASTERS that Lt. McNiell embodies what this Public Service Award represents. His actions––both in his professional and personal life––are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.


2006 Lifesaving Citation
Trooper Carisa L. Goins, Gaming Division

On Monday, July 17, 2006, Trooper Carisa L. Goins, her husband, Frankie, and their two sons, Griffin and Fisher, were fishing off a gravel bar on the Current River in Ripley County just outside Doniphan, Missouri. While they were fishing, they heard a faint call for help. They saw a man floating face down in a shallow, but swift section of the river. Tpr. and Frankie Goins ran into the river and pulled the man to the bank. The smell of intoxicants came from the man’s breath. The man began asking for his sister, Lindsey, and made several attempts to get back into the water. The Goins pulled him to safety each time. While Tpr. and Frankie Goins were speaking with the Doniphan police officer, the subject re-entered the water. The swift water carried him to the other side of the river where he grabbed a log. The Goins immediately went to their boat, which was nearby at a dock, and maneuvered near him. After several attempts, and without the subject’s assistance, they were able to pull the man onto the boat and take him to safety. Tpr. Goins’ determination, perseverance, and knowledge of first aid helped save a man’s life. Her actions are a credit to herself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Lifesaving Citation
Trooper Huntley H. Hoemann, Troop C

On October 16, 2006, Trooper Huntley H. Hoemann was called to a traffic crash on Interstate 44 near the 247 mile-marker in Franklin County to assist Trooper Eric R. Kriete. This traffic crash damaged a concrete median wall, resulting in debris landing in the roadway. Tpr. Hoemann positioned his patrol vehicle partially in the passing lane with his emergency lights activated and began removing the debris. At this time, a second traffic crash occurred just west of his location.

Tpr. Hoemann went to the crash scene and discovered one vehicle was disabled. He then directed the second vehicle to a position in front of his patrol vehicle. As Tpr. Hoemann collected information, a tractor-trailer unit approached the scene traveling 70 miles per hour on the wet roadway. Unable to stop, his tractor-trailer unit struck another eastbound vehicle, struck the disabled vehicle, then traveled in the direction of Tpr. Hoemann, the occupants of both vehicles, and Commercial Vehicle Officer Freddie R. Perkins, who had been working an overtime project with Tpr. Hoemann.

Immediately, individuals began jumping over the median to avoid being struck by the tractor-trailer. However, one woman froze in place. Realizing this, Tpr. Hoemann pulled her over the concrete median to safety. Shortly after the woman was over the wall, the tractor-trailer struck the rear of Tpr. Hoemann’s marked patrol vehicle.

Tpr. Hoemann’s immediate, decisive actions saved this woman’s life. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Lifesaving Citation
Trooper James M. Linegar, Troop C

On December 30, 2006, while patrolling in Franklin County, Trooper James M. Linegar heard a call for assistance involving an officer down. The call came after a deputy from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department was shot.

After hearing the call for assistance, Tpr. Linegar responded, and was among the first to arrive. Deputy Jason Shuster of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Department and Officer Chad M. Sloan, an off-duty officer from the Washington Police Department, were at the scene. When Tpr. Linegar arrived, he strategically positioned his vehicle directly behind the deputy’s patrol car. Recognizing the deputy needed immediate medical care, Tpr. Linegar selflessly placed himself in an area that only moments before had been riddled with as many as 20 .30-caliber bullets. Tpr. Linegar assisted Deputy Shuster and Officer Sloan in carrying the injured Franklin County deputy out of the line of fire to a place of safety. Emergency medical personnel were then able to treat the deputy’s wounds.

Tpr. Linegar’s selfless act undoubtedly helped to save the life of a fellow officer. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Lifesaving Citation
Trooper Kyle D. Wilmont, Troop I

On May 25, 2006, Trooper Kyle D. Wilmont was off duty while at the Dent County Sheriff’s Office in Salem, Missouri. He heard a female voice yelling for help from the hallway of the sheriff’s office. The female led him down the hallway to where her 71-year-old mother sat in a chair. The older woman was having trouble breathing, her skin was pale, and her lips were turning blue. She then grabbed her chest and gasped before vomiting and losing consciousness.

Tpr. Wilmont moved the woman to the floor, asked a deputy to call for emergency assistance, and requested a CPR mask. He then used the mask to administer several rescue breaths. The woman began breathing on her own and regained consciousness. Emergency personnel arrived to transport her to Salem Memorial District Hospital. At the request of emergency medical personnel, Tpr. Wilmont then drove the ambulance to the hospital, enabling both emergency medical technicians to attend to the woman en route. She was later flown to Missouri Baptist Hospital in St. Louis to receive further treatment.

Tpr. Wilmont’s decisive actions and knowledge of CPR saved this woman’s life. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Lifesaving Citation
Corporal Norman E. Rodenberg, Troop A

On July 3, 2006, Corporal Norman E. Rodenberg was on routine patrol westbound on Missouri Route 210 in Ray County west of Richmond, Missouri. A car traveling eastbound approached his location driving in a dangerous and erratic manner. The suspect traveled from one side of the roadway to the other as it got closer to Cpl. Rodenberg’s patrol car. To avoid a crash, Cpl. Rodenberg drove his patrol car into the ditch off the right side of the roadway. The oncoming vehicle, traveling approximately 60 miles per hour, went into the ditch in front of the patrol vehicle, narrowly missing it, then re-entered the roadway. It then traveled behind the patrol vehicle, up an embankment, and struck several trees.

Cpl. Rodenberg exited his patrol car and ran to the vehicle, which appeared to have caught fire. Unable to get the driver’s attention, he used his ASP baton to break out the driver’s side window and pulled the driver to safety. Within a few minutes, the vehicle was destroyed by fire. It was later determined the driver was under the influence of cocaine, which accounted for his erratic driving and his inability to help himself out of the burning vehicle. The driver was quick to credit Cpl. Rodenberg with saving his life.

Cpl. Rodenberg’s training and decisive action protected him and saved the life of another. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Lifesaving Citation
Sergeant Cody H. Fulkerson, Troop E

On August 5, 2006, Sergeant Cody H. Fulkerson was on routine patrol on Interstate 55 near the 115 mile-marker. He observed a vehicle lose control due to a blown left rear tire. The vehicle ran off the roadway and overturned several times. Sgt. Fulkerson activated his emergency lights, turned into the median to avoid flying debris, and notified Troop E Headquarters.

Sgt. Fulkerson approached the wreckage from the driver’s side and observed the vehicle had come to rest on its roof with the occupants trapped inside. The driver was hanging upside down with the seat belt around her neck. She was in distress and obviously in danger of being strangled by her seat belt. Sgt. Fulkerson broke through the rear driver’s side window but was unable to reach the driver due to the amount of damage to the vehicle. He then ran to his patrol car, and retrieved a blanket, which he placed around the driver to protect her when he broke the driver’s side window. Using his pocketknife, he cut the safety belt and lowered the driver to safety. He made sure she was breathing before checking the passenger. Unfortunately, the passenger––who was the woman’s husband––was killed in the crash. Sgt. Fulkerson returned to the driver and remained with her until medical personnel arrived on the scene.

Sgt. Fulkerson’s quick response and resourcefulness saved this woman’s life. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.


2006 Meritorious Service Awards
Trooper Danny A. Bickell, Troop F

On June 2, 2006, Trooper Danny A. Bickell responded to a request for assistance described as shots fired and an officer down. Within minutes, he was on scene, where he found two Montgomery City police officers injured after a traffic stop in a residential area. According to the officers, when one of them approached the stopped vehicle, the driver pulled a semi-automatic pistol and opened fire.

The officer was struck four times, but managed to take cover. The second officer returned fire, and the driver fled to a nearby mobile home. The man entered the residence and shot a woman who was a close friend of his ex-girlfriend. He then went to the home of his ex-girlfriend’s current boyfriend and shot him seven times before fleeing the scene in his vehicle.



When Tpr. Bickell arrived on the scene, the boyfriend was laying in the yard, unable to get up, unprotected, and bleeding profusely. Tpr. Bickell helped the man up and took him to safety behind the Montgomery City officer’s vehicle where he administered first aid. After bandaging the man, Tpr. Bickell left him in the care of citizens at the scene and made his way to the officer. He helped him to a nearby patrol car, so the wounded officer could be driven to an area of safety for treatment of his wounds. Tpr. Bickell then checked the woman’s residence and attempted to perform CPR. Unfortunately, her injuries were fatal.

The driver was captured later that day by local authorities.

Tpr. Bickell acted with total disregard for his safety. He didn’t know if the shooter was in the vicinity when he arrived. But, he applied police tactics and methods to save the lives of the wounded officer and civilian. He went beyond the call of duty to provide protection to persons in need. This situation demanded immediate action and involved considerable personal risk to Tpr. Bickell. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Meritorious Service Awards
Trooper Christopher A. Winter, Troop A


On January 19, 2006, Trooper Christopher Winter responded to assist the Sedalia Police Department with a pursuit. The suspect had failed to turn himself in following a bond revocation for multiple domestic violence offenses and violation of an ex parte order of protection. When a Sedalia police officer stopped the suspect at the north edge of their city, the driver exited his vehicle and pointed a revolver toward the officer. The officer then took cover behind his patrol vehicle. At this time, the driver returned to his vehicle and fled.

Tpr. Winter met the suspect vehicle on Missouri Highway 135. The suspect drove toward Tpr. Winter’s vehicle in an attempt to run him off the road. Tpr. Winter then turned around and pursued the suspect south on Missouri Highway 135. Due to the rural area and lack of available officers, Tpr. Winter was the only officer involved in the pursuit, which continued for 25 miles. The pursuit was west of Tipton when the driver lost control, ran off the road, and traveled back across the westbound lanes before crashing through a fence and stopping in a field.

Tpr. Winter stopped, exited his car and approached on foot as he ordered the suspect to lie on the ground. The suspect exited his vehicle, again armed with a revolver, and fired several shots at Tpr. Winter. Tpr. Winter then returned fire, striking the subject, who then fell to the ground. The suspect, who had an extensive criminal history, was taken into custody and transported to a hospital in Columbia, MO.

Tpr. Winter answered a call for assistance in a situation demanding immediate action and involving considerable personal risk. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.


Meritorious Service Award
Trooper Jarrod S. Thomas, Troop C
Corporal Donald S. Larsen, Troop C

On March 11, 2006, an F3 category tornado touched down in northern Perry County. This tornado left behind a 400 to 700 yard path of death, injury, and destruction over nine miles. Corporal Donald S. Larsen tracked the storm via radio conversations with county law enforcement and communications centers. The reports directed him to Interstate 55 north. At the 138 mile-marker, lightning flashed and Cpl. Larsen saw the tornado approximately two tenths of a mile in front of him. He activated his red lights and stopped northbound traffic. The tornado then crossed the interstate between traffic and Cpl. Larsen. No one was injured.

Cpl. Larsen then responded toward U.S. Highway 61, knowing houses were in the tornado’s path. He responded to urgent radio traffic from Perry County, and notified Troop C to direct Trooper Jarrod S. Thomas and others to the scene.

Tpr. Thomas responded to Cpl. Larsen’s location, and accompanied him to a severely damaged house on the west side of U.S. Highway 61. When they arrived in an area west of U.S. Highway 61, they heard cries for help. They then saw a pickup truck had been blown from the highway and slammed into a 20,400 gallon propane storage tank filled to approximately 60 percent of its capacity. Both the driver and passenger were deceased. Corporal Larsen advised Troop C radio of the volatile situation and requested ambulances be sent.

Cpl. Larsen and Tpr. Thomas went to a home and found an elderly woman trapped inside. The officers were able to get to her and assist the woman outside. Both officers then began searching for other victims.

Tpr. Thomas located an older couple who were lying on the ground after being thrown out of their home. He assessed their injuries and stayed with them until fire department personnel arrived to treat them. Tpr. Thomas then continued looking for victims. He found three more who had been thrown from their home also. One victim was bleeding profusely from a head injury, the other had a deep puncture wound to his back and appeared to be going into shock. Tpr. Thomas applied pressure bandages to both and covered the second with his blanket to keep him warm. At this time, Cpl. Larsen checked on Tpr. Thomas, saw the seriously injured people, and ran 300 yards to alert emergency medical technicians to come to the scene. Tpr. Thomas then became aware that the first woman he rescued hadn’t heard from her son. He went to the man’s residence and was able to help him get out of his pickup truck, which was covered in debris.

After caring for the injured and securing the scene, Tpr. Thomas then began searching for property in need of safeguarding. He located rifles, shotguns, and regulated medications, and took them into protective custody until their owners could reclaim them. He then assisted Cpl. Larsen with a death investigation before finishing his shift manning a roadblock at Missouri Route Z and U.S. Highway 61.

Once the injured had been located and evacuated, Cpl. Larsen returned to the two victims near the propane tank to complete this investigation. When the driver’s father arrived at the scene, Cpl. Larsen showed compassion while notifying him of the crash and informed the man of the hazardous conditions at the scene. Cpl. Larsen helped secure the scene until the tank’s leak could be repaired and the pickup truck removed to a safe distance.

Cpl. Larsen and Tpr. Thomas assessed an emergency situation and acted with professionalism and compassion. They saved lives and protected property, exemplifying “service before self”. Their actions are a credit to themselves and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

2006 Civilian of the Year
Chief Commercial Vehicle Officer Martha A. McCartney, Troop H

Since her career began in 1988, Chief Commercial Vehicle Officer Martha A. McCartney has exemplified the vision, mission, and values of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Over the last 18 years, Chief CVO McCartney has progressed through the ranks, attended numerous highly technical, extensive, and specialized training courses, and received numerous commendations from the Patrol and the public. Chief CVO McCartney has been known to stop and assist motorists, and gone so far as to change a flat tire for them.

In her current position as chief, she has evaluated the operations of each component within her division. The changes she has implemented have been resourceful and improved overall operations, effectiveness, and the level of service given by commercial vehicle enforcement employees. Chief CVO McCartney coordinates multi-troop, covert operations and has been actively involved in overdimension moves traveling through the troop. She has also been known to assist when needed in other areas of the troop, such as answering phones for communications and assigning commercial vehicle officers to the Motor Vehicle Inspection division during school bus inspections.

Chief CVO Martha A. McCartney is a credit to this organization. She is dedicated to serving and protecting the citizens of this great state. Her actions are in keeping with the highest tradition of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.


2006 Officer of the Year
Trooper John L. Mason, Troop D

Trooper John L. Mason was commissioned in 1999, and began his career in Troop C, St. Charles County. In 2003, he transferred to Troop D, Jasper County. Throughout his career, his coworkers have described him as hard working, dedicated, strong on driving while intoxicated enforcement, upbeat, and the type of officer people want to be around.

Tpr. Mason has been recommended for numerous awards recognizing his outstanding and tenacious enforcement of impaired driving laws. Each year, he makes an impressive number of driving while intoxicated arrests. Mothers Against Drunk Driving has recognized him several times. Tpr. Mason makes a tremendous number of traffic-oriented stops, writes outstanding reports, and represents himself and the Patrol in a professional manner.

In 2006, Tpr. Mason made 92 driving while intoxicated arrests, 45 felony arrests, 1,056 total arrests, issued 1,364 warnings, investigated 78 traffic crashes, and rendered service 395 times.

Tpr. Mason embodies the ideals of the Patrol’s mission and values. He presents himself and performs his duties with confidence and competence. He is a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.