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
Q512021-1 (573) 526-6115
May 1, 2023
EMPHASIS: Patrol Recognizes 21 Employees At Annual Awards Banquet
Colonel Eric T. Olson, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, congratulates the following employees who were recognized for their actions at the awards ceremony April 29, 2023. This year's award ceremony took place at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO.
"Our award winners are a reflection of the high caliber of individuals the Missouri State Highway Patrol employs,” said Col. Olson. “Every day, our employees go above and beyond to serve and protect Missourians. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients."
The Fred M. Mills MASTERS Public Service Award is presented to a member of the Patrol in recognition of their professional and personal service to the people of Missouri. This award is presented by the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society.
Corporal Billy V. Cole (A) serves as a marine operations trooper and is a current member of the Dive Team. In 2014, Cpl. Cole’s daughter was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, an extremely rare form of bone cancer. Over the next year, she had chemotherapy and 32 rounds of radiation at Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, MO. During her treatment, the family learned how underfunded the world of pediatric cancer is and experienced firsthand the significant financial burden. The family decided to help other families in the pediatric cancer world. They began by providing dinners to families and nurses on the cancer floor of Children’s Mercy. They delivered toys to patients during the holidays and supported in-patient families with gifts, toiletries, and food items. The Coles served as friends and resources for these families. They became involved in Noah’s Bandage Project and have organized a bandage drive and fundraiser in their daughter’s school for the past five years. They have also volunteered with the Supporting Kids Foundation, KC Cares for Kids, and Camp Quality. Since 2016, Corporal Cole’s main efforts have been with Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. This organization sponsored a research study in the Kansas City area for pediatric Ewing’s Sarcoma. The Cole family represents Alex’s Lemonade Stand at annual events throughout the Kansas City area. The funds collected stay locally for pediatric cancer research and to support cancer families’ needs. Every year on March 27, marking the last day of her treatment, the Cole family holds Malina’s Day of Kindness. They organize an act of kindness to benefit Children’s Mercy Hospital and pass out cards encouraging others to perform random acts of kindness, helping the Coles honor the kind acts experienced during their daughter’s treatment.
Four Career Milestone awards were presented.
During his career, Corporal Aaron A. Engelhart (Troop A) has made over 1,000 driving while intoxicated arrests.
During his career, Sergeant Jeffery D. Johnson (Q/DDCC) has completed more than 750 polygraph examinations.
During his career, Sergeant Scott E. Rawson (Q/DDCC) has completed more than 750 polygraph examinations.
The Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Public Service recognizes a civilian employee who has been actively involved in public service whether performed on or off the job.
Public Information Specialist III Cheryl D. Cobb (Q/PIED) has served for over 25 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. She ensures priority events are publicized. She is organized and has built strong relationships with every component within the agency. Last fall, she volunteered to present a Highway Patrol history course to new recruits and immersed herself in updating the course. Mrs. Cobb also coordinates care packages to employees assigned to active military duty and formed a network of employees who donate their personal money, write thoughtful notes, and provide requested items. Outside her Patrol duties, she serves her church, community, and the Boy Scouts of America. Mrs. Cobb serves on her church’s marriage enrichment team and directs the annual fundraising craft sale. She also trains commissioners for the Boy Scouts of America. Public Information Specialist III Cheryl D. Cobb exemplifies the Patrol’s core values on a daily basis and her knowledge, skills, and abilities radiate enthusiasm throughout our agency. The Superintendent's Award for Excellence in Public Service honors her professional and personal service to the citizens of Missouri.
The Patrol’s Lifesaving Award is presented to an active or retired employee who is distinguished by saving the life of another person. Eight employees accepted Lifesaving awards.
On January 9, 2022, Commercial Vehicle Officer Gary W. England (Troop D) was working at weigh station D4 East in Joplin, Missouri, when a traffic crash occurred just west of his location. He notified Troop D then ran to the scene, where he found one commercial vehicle was on its side and a second semi-tractor had exploded. One driver was stuck in the burning truck, and the fire had reached the cab area. Commercial Vehicle Officer England used three fire extinguishers he procured from vehicles involved in the crash attempting to keep the fire away from the driver while awaiting the arrival of the fire department. While he was looking for a fourth fire extinguisher, the driver was able to move a lever, free his leg, and exit the cab. The driver was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. He survived the incident.
On January 16, 2022, Trooper Justin L. Dedmon (Troop G) heard Wright County communications dispatch a deputy to an address in Hartville, Missouri, in response to an accidental gunshot incident. Tpr. Dedmon responded to the scene where he observed a female and a male subject. The male was standing by a passenger car and the female was holding a towel over his upper arm. Tpr. Dedmon noticed a large pool of blood on the ground near the man and the towel was blood soaked. He removed his tourniquet from his boot carrier and applied it above the wound. This immediately stopped the bleeding. Apparently, the male had purchased a rifle from a friend aware the safety was not operating properly. When he dropped the rifle, it discharged, and wounded him. After approximately 15 minutes, emergency medical personnel arrived on scene and transported the man to the hospital. He has since recovered.
On July 2, 2022, Trooper James P. Lewis (Troop E) attended a family friend’s birthday party at the Neptune Club in Caruthersville, Missouri. During the swimming party, he noticed a four-year-old child had apparently jumped into the deep end of the pool. Tpr. Lewis observed the child floating facedown and immediately jumped into the pool and pulled the child to safety. Once out of the pool, Tpr. Lewis provided several brisk pats on the back to clear the child’s airway of pool water. The child recovered from the incident.
On August 14, 2022, Corporal Joseph D. Hall (Troop A) overheard radio traffic from the Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department regarding a suicidal subject located near U.S. Highway 169 and Missouri Highway 9 in Clay County. Cpl. Hall responded to the area to assist. Radio traffic provided a possible location and when Cpl. Hall arrived, he observed a male lying in a pool of blood. A KCPD officer arrived at the same time. The subject appeared to have lacerations to his right and left wrists from an unknown object and was unresponsive. Cpl. Hall retrieved tourniquets and gloves from his patrol vehicle. He gave gloves and one tourniquet to the KCPD officer and they each applied a tourniquet to the subject’s upper arms. The officers rendered first aid until emergency medical services arrived and transported the man to the hospital. This man is alive today because Cpl. Hall recognized the seriousness of the situation and reacted quickly.
On January 31, 2022, Corporal Jason M. Hurt (Troop I) responded to a call of a child who had broken through the ice on a private lake in Cuba, Missouri. He arrived at the scene and observed that the child had broken through the ice approximately 75 feet from the bank and was floating using a personal floatation device. Cpl. Hurt and a paramedic attempted to toss throw bags to the victim, but the rope was falling short of the victim’s location. After attaching safety gear, Cpl. Hurt crawled on the ice toward the victim on his stomach to distribute his weight. After breaking through the ice into the frigid water, he attempted to swim toward the child. The ice became too thick, so he returned to the bank. A small Jon-boat was located, and Cpl. Hurt began paddling with his hands until he reached the victim. He then pulled the small child from the water into the boat. Cpl. Hurt then maneuvered the boat back to one of the throw bags and was pulled to shore by emergency medical services and deputies. The child was flown to Children’s Hospital due to extreme hypothermia. The child survived the incident.
On July 27, 2022, while traveling northbound on Interstate 435 in a torrential downpour, Corporal Louis B. Lairmore (Q/GD) encountered a four-vehicle crash that had just occurred. One vehicle was on the concrete median wall of a bridge overlooking the railyard more than 100 feet below. The vehicle was perched precariously with both driver side wheels hanging over the wall. Cpl. Lairmore activated his emergency equipment and stopped behind the vehicle. He attempted to contact the driver, who was disoriented and unaware of his surroundings. Both doors on the right side of the vehicle had been wedged into the vehicle frame. The right front door would not budge. In the pouring rain, Cpl. Lairmore coached the driver to climb carefully into the back of the vehicle. He forced the right rear door open, pulled the driver from the vehicle, and then escorted the driver to the safety of his patrol vehicle. Cpl. Lairmore prevented this disoriented motorist from exiting his vehicle and falling from the bridge. He also removed the possibility of the driver being injured if the precariously positioned vehicle was struck by another vehicle and plunged from the bridge.
On September 1, 2022, Major Scott A. Shipers and Lieutenant Collin M. Stosberg (Q/ESB) were having lunch with members of the General Assembly at Oscar’s Diner in Jefferson City, Missouri. Lt. Stosberg observed an individual stand from an adjacent table in distress and apparently choking. Lt. Stosberg quickly approached the gentleman, confirmed he was choking, and repeatedly administered an abdominal thrust. Major Shipers also responded to the gentleman’s location. As the item did not completely dislodge, Lt. Stosberg began communicating with the gentleman in an attempt to keep him calm while Major Shipers administered two additional abdominal thrusts. The food blocking the man’s airway was then completely dislodged and he recovered.
The Meritorious Service Award is presented to employees for exemplary service who performed beyond the call of duty in unusual circumstances. Two employees accepted Meritorious Service awards.
On May 3, 2022, a Kansas City (Missouri) Police Department officer identified a vehicle and its driver wanted on several Kansas City, Kansas, warrants for violent felonies, including murder. He followed the vehicle and requested additional officers respond. The suspect fled from police. The vehicle pursuit lasted over 30 minutes. Trooper John L. Colwell (Troop A) was one of the officers who responded to assist. He deployed a tire-deflation device across southbound I-435 at NW 120th Street and was able to bring the pursuit to an end. The armed suspect fled on foot into a nearby subdivision, and Tpr. Colwell joined other law enforcement officers in pursuing him. Tpr. Colwell assisted in containing the suspect near the backyard of a residence. The suspect pointed his handgun toward officers, ultimately placing them in immediate danger. Tpr. Colwell fired his Patrol-issued rifle, which stopped the threat the suspect posed. Tpr. Colwell’s actions and involvement with this incident directly resulted in stopping a dangerous chain of events and a dangerous suspect, who was endangering the lives of others.
On June 27, 2022, an Amtrak train carrying approximately 289 passengers hit a dump truck on Porche Prairie Avenue near Mendon, Missouri, and derailed. Sergeant Timmy D. Shoop (Troop B) overheard the radio traffic and immediately responded to the scene. He climbed down inside a hot, heavily occupied rail car, helping to calm the passengers. Some of the injured passengers were incapable of climbing out of the rail car. Thus, Sgt. Shoop cleared a path for a ladder to be inserted through a window and assisted passengers in climbing up and out. He remained inside the rail car until only one crew member was left. This gentleman had suffered severe injuries and his arm was pinned under the train. Sgt. Shoop helped the gentleman remain calm until emergency personnel were able to free his arm. Sgt. Shoop remained by the man’s side then helped lift the patient, ensured he remained level on a long spine board, and climbed his way out of the car. After the injured man was removed from the rail car, Sgt. Shoop then went from car to car ensuring all passengers were out and accounted for. Passengers not transported to the hospital were taken to a nearby school, which quickly became an emergency operations center. Sgt. Shoop became the liaison between the Highway Patrol, National Transportation Safety Board, and the school ensuring everyone’s needs were met. Once the NTSB was prepared for the crashed rail cars to be removed, Sgt. Shoop was placed in charge of escorting the over dimension loads safely by highway to their final destination.
Every year, a civilian of the year is chosen. The 2022 Matilda "Tillie" Sonnen Civilian Of The Year is Public Information Specialist III Meghan E. Basinger.
Public Information Specialist III Meghan E. Basinger (Q/PIED) creates content, and manages and monitors the Patrol’s multiple social media accounts, as well as the email addresses linked to the accounts. In addition to her assigned duties, Ms. Basinger has fulfilled the role of the Patrol’s graphic artist since April 2022. On August 25, 2022, an email to the social media account contained information from a female about a traffic crash she was involved in without providing a location. The female admitted her depression was “90 times worse,” and she was having “some very bad thoughts.” Ms. Basinger shared the information with her lieutenant, who responded to the email. Ms. Basinger utilized the email address, name, and a nickname within the email address to attempt to identify the female through her social media accounts. Ms. Basinger received a second email in the social media account indicating the female felt she should take her own life. Utilizing the information provided by the female and Ms. Basinger’s research, the Patrol was able to locate the traffic crash and determine it was in the Troop I, Rolla, Missouri, area. The information was provided to Troop I communications personnel. Members of Troop I communications, troopers, and the Rolla Police Department developed further information, identified the female, and located her. Mental health services were provided to prevent a tragic outcome.
Ms. Basinger is not provided in-depth training on recognizing a person experiencing a mental health crisis and the actions to take. Yet, Ms. Basinger quickly identified the sender of this email as a person in need. She took the appropriate actions and assisted in the timely identification of the female. Ms. Basinger's attention to detail, dedication to her duties, and her strong work ethic led to a positive outcome to what could have been a tragic loss of life.
Every year, an officer of the year is chosen. The 2022 Benjamin Oliver Booth Officer Of The Year is Sergeant Patrick D. Sublette.
Sergeant Patrick D. Sublette (Q/DDCC) joined the Digital Forensic Investigative Unit in 2011. He expanded its mission of assisting troops by initiating peer-to-peer file sharing investigations to identify suspects sharing child pornography files over the internet. Sgt. Sublette then developed teams in different parts of the state to serve search warrants.
Sgt. Sublette is
the
resource for computer-facilitated crimes. He consistently connects the digital dots during an investigation, and other law enforcement officials seek out his expertise. He explains complex computer communications to officers, prosecutors, and juries across Missouri. Sgt. Sublette is certified in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri as an expert witness regarding child pornography investigations and peer-to-peer BitTorrent investigations, the first member of the Patrol to be certified as an expert witness for these investigations. In 2022, Sgt. Sublette was the main witness in a federal court case where he explained in detail, over four hours, about the peer-to-peer file sharing investigation. The jury handed down a conviction.
Sgt. Sublette seeks new ways to leverage technology, using the Webex service enabling the team to communicate while working the case, serving search warrants, and during suspect interviews. Every detail is known to every investigator and forensic analyst the moment it happens; thus, calls or group messages do not interrupt the flow of investigations. He built a small remote computer network specifically for use by DFIU investigators, allowing files to be shared and eliminating hundreds of messages. In 2022, Sgt. Sublette expanded the network further by placing servers and mass storage in several troops and service centers across the state.
The Valor Award is presented to an employee who performs an extraordinary act of heroism in a situation involving considerable danger to the employee and the possibility of injury or death to citizens or other officers.
Four troopers accepted Valor awards.
On June 2, 2019, Trooper David A. Beck (Troop E) and his field training officer, Corporal James C. Cooksey (Troop E), were traveling east on U.S. Highway 60, just east of U.S. Highway 61 in New Madrid County, when they observed a pickup truck on the right shoulder of westbound U.S. 60. The truck had its hazard lights activated. Tpr. Beck made a U-turn onto westbound U.S. 60 to check on the vehicle. As Tpr. Beck parked his vehicle, he observed a male subject standing in the shallow ditch next to the open passenger door. He exited his patrol car and approached the truck. As Tpr. Beck reached the right rear corner of the truck, the subject turned and fired several shots at him using a semi-automatic handgun. Tpr. Beck began moving to a position of cover while drawing his Patrol issued firearm. The subject continued to fire while moving quickly toward him. Tpr. Beck returned fire and the subject fell to the ground. Tpr. Beck and Cpl. Cooksey administered first aid until paramedics arrived. The subject sustained gunshot wounds; he survived the incident.
On Thursday, March 17, 2022, a traffic crash involving approximately 50 vehicles occurred on Interstate 57 in Charleston, Missouri. Due to unusually dense fog, visibility was nearly nonexistent. Trooper Joshua J. Schuenemeyer (Troop E) was the first trooper to arrive on scene and recognized the magnitude of this crash scene, which spanned nearly a quarter of a mile and blocked both northbound and southbound lanes. Tpr. Schuenemeyer requested additional resources and informed troop communications this area of the interstate would need to be closed. He then ran toward a group of eight vehicles engulfed in flames. The fire was moving to a nearby commercial vehicle. The driver of this truck was trapped and screaming for help as the truck began to burn. Tpr. Schuenemeyer and a deputy attempted to remove the driver from the truck and found his leg was pinned under the dash. Tpr. Schuenemeyer knew the truck would burn before fire personnel could arrive. Without hesitation or regard for his own safety, Tpr. Schuenemeyer ran to the driver’s side of the truck, placing himself between two burning trucks. As he approached the driver’s door, oxygen fed the fire and sent flames shooting over his head. He persevered and was able to free the driver’s leg as the deputy pulled him out from the passenger side. Sadly, the driver later succumbed to his injuries.
On January 25, 2022, Trooper Adam R. Shipley (Troop E) overheard radio traffic of an aggravated rape in progress at the Amidon Conservation Area in Madison County. While responding to the area, he encountered the female victim and a male who was forcing her to his vehicle. The female ran toward Tpr. Shipley’s patrol vehicle and identified herself as the victim. Tpr. Shipley exited his patrol vehicle to detain the man, who then ran into a wooded area. He caught the suspect and while attempting to take him into custody he observed him reaching for a knife in his waistband. After a physical altercation, Tpr. Shipley and the man separated and began standing. Again, Tpr. Shipley observed the man reaching for the knife in his waistband. In response, Tpr. Shipley drew his Patrol issued firearm and discharged one round, striking the man in the chest. Despite Tpr. Shipley’s attempt to administer medical aid, the man died at the scene.
On September 10, 2022, Corporal Terry A. Bible (Troop D) responded to a crash on Interstate 44 in Lawrence County. A deputy on scene made him aware of a secondary crash and Cpl. Bible immediately redirected. The second crash involved two commercial vehicles. A man at the scene informed him a driver was stuck in the truck that was on fire. Cpl. Bible grabbed his fire extinguisher and sprinted to the burning truck. He confirmed the driver was trapped inside with his leg pinned. The exterior and rear of the cab was on fire, so Cpl. Bible used his fire extinguisher and asked others at the scene for additional fire extinguishers. He entered the cab of the truck and attempted to free the driver’s leg, but was unsuccessful. The flames grew stronger, but Cpl. Bible remained with the driver and worked to remove him from the burning truck. When the fire department arrived on scene, Cpl. Bible exited the cab, ran to the firetruck, and helped pull the fire hoses to the crash site to increase the speed of the response. He also alerted the fire chief of the need for the jaws of life and secured gear from the firetruck to cover the driver to protect him from the flames. A Lawrence County deputy arrived to assist Cpl. Bible in applying pressure to the seat as the fire chief used the jaws of life. Firefighters sprayed water onto the three men with the hope of preventing serious injuries as they worked near the ever-growing flames. A second attempt with the jaws of life was successful, and the driver was removed from the cab for medical treatment. Both Cpl. Bible’s and the deputy’s hair was singed from their arms and head as they worked to save the driver.
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