MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Troop E Headquarters - 4947 Highway 67 North - Poplar Bluff, MO 63901


News Release

For further information please contact: Trooper Clark D. Parrott
(573) 840-9500, ext. 3532
09051245
September 5, 2012

EMPHASIS: Patrol To Award Honorary Trooper Certificate And Certificate Of Appreciation


Captain George E. Ridens, commanding officer of Troop E, Poplar Bluff, announces that Mary E. “Etta” Willbanks, of Koshkonong, Missouri, will be recognized as an Honorary Trooper, and Joshua D. Fowler, of Doniphan, Missouri, will be presented a Certificate of Appreciation at 11 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2012, at the Doniphan, MO, Police Department. Ms. Willbanks and Mr. Fowler are being recognized for their bravery while assisting members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol during a traffic crash.

On April 13, 2012, Trooper Blaine M. Loring and Trooper Shayne K. Talburt investigated a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 160 in Ripley County. Upon their arrival, they learned both vehicles had caught fire and burned as a result of the traffic crash. Shortly after the crash occurred, Ms. Mary E. "Etta" Willbanks discovered the crash scene and heard a man yelling for help. The man, a driver in one of the crashed vehicles, was unable to get out of his vehicle because of life threatening injuries. Ms. Willbanks approached the vehicle while it was on fire. Mr. Josh Fowler arrived shortly after, and he and Ms. Willbanks began trying to remove the driver from the burning vehicle. After trying several times, their efforts proved unsuccessful. Mr. Fowler ran from the vehicle to get help. Ms. Willbanks grabbed the man's hand, and was eventually able to remove him from the burning vehicle. Corporal Jeffery D. Johnson, of the Patrol's Division of Drug and Crime Control, arrived after the man was out of the vehicle and assisted Mr. Fowler and Ms. Willbanks in moving him to safety. After the driver was removed from the vehicle and moved to safety, the vehicle he had been in became engulfed in flames. Corporal Johnson was on-scene before the troopers arrived and told them Etta Willbanks had removed the driver of one of the crashed vehicles while it was on fire. Ms. Willbanks, Mr. Fowler, and Corporal Johnson’s actions that night undoubtedly saved the life of Mr. Tanner. Ms. Willbanks and Mr. Fowler put themselves at risk to save another person.

Captain Ridens said, “The actions of Ms. Willbanks and Mr. Fowler were exemplary. Local law enforcement consider them to be good citizens in their community. They both upheld the motto of the Missouri State Highway Patrol of service and protection.”





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