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

Troop B Headquarters - 308 Pine Crest Drive - Macon, Missouri 63552


NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Sergeant Brent J. Bernhardt
(660) 385-2132
B16026
February 29, 2016

EMPHASIS: Randolph County Resident Awarded Honorary Trooper Certificate

On February 25, 2016, Captain James E. Wilt, commanding officer of Troop B, Macon, presented Randolph County resident Samuel W. Burns with an honorary Missouri State Highway Patrol Honorary Trooper Certificate at the Moberly Zone Office. The Patrol presents the “Honorary Trooper Certificate” to citizens who are nominated by a trooper for performing in an exemplary manner, and under dangerous conditions, to aid another person.
On September 15, 2015, Samuel Burns was driving his vehicle in Randolph County, and observed a vehicle that appeared to have been involved in a single-vehicle traffic crash and down an embankment and was on fire. Burns summoned another citizen who had stopped to assist to call 9-1-1 and without hesitation and disregarding his own safety, Burns ran to the crashed vehicle. He determined it was occupied by a female who was injured and unable to escape the vehicle. Although the entire front end of the vehicle was engulfed in flames, Burns was able to get the driver’s door opened and pull the female from the vehicle. She was then safely treated by responding medical personnel.
“There is no doubt Mr. Burns risked his life to prevent the crash victim from dying in the burning vehicle,” stated Captain Wilt. “The honorary trooper certificate is a token of the Patrol’s appreciation for helping our officers save lives of others.”
Approximately 63 percent of Missouri fatal crash victims who are required to be restrained are NOT at the time of the traffic crash. The Patrol urges motorists to protect themselves and their passengers by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint. Join us in supporting the Drive Too Zero Highway Deaths. Watercraft operators should ensure that everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!
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