NEWS RELEASE
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Capt. Christian T. Ricks
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Q05051
EMPHASIS: Patrol Honors, Remembers 2005 Heroes
Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre is proud to announce 21employees were honored, four posthumously, at the Patrol’s 15th annual awards banquet on April 29, 2006. This event was also The MASTERS’ 27th annual meeting. The MASTERS (Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society) is a nonprofit organization formed by concern citizens in 1979. Its sole purpose is to support families of those troopers killed in the line of duty. Each year, to show its appreciation, the Patrol invites members of The MASTERS are invited to attend the awards ceremony.
The 2006 awards ceremony and banquet were held at the Holiday Inn Select-Executive Center in Columbia, MO. A crowd of over 330 people gathered to honor the heroes of 2005. Major Hugh E. McKay, Q/ASB, served as master of ceremonies; Troop A’s Honor Guard presented the colors while CTE Roger Heard, Troop H, played the bagpipes. Cpl. John H. Lueckenhoff, Troop D, sang the National Anthem, and Patrol Chaplain Bill Koch, superintendent, United Methodist Church, from Kirksville, gave the invocation and benediction. DPS Director Mark S. James was the keynote speaker, and Colonel Roger D. Stottlemyre presented the awards. Mr. Jack Pahlmann, president of The MASTERS, presented a video describing the organization’s mission. He indicated this video would be used to help recruit new members. Mr. Pahlmann also presented The MASTERS Public Service Award.
Four officers were remembered with Memorial Awards, and all 27 of the Patrol’s fallen heroes were shown during a video presentation entitled, “Roll Call”. Seventeen employees were honored for their actions during 2005. This year, for the first time, the Purple Heart Award was presented. Other awards included Memorial Awards, Lifesaving Awards, Meritorious Citations, Civilian of the Year, Officer of the Year, and a Citation of Valor.
Purple Heart Award
Tpr. Brandon J. Brashear, Troop A
In the early morning hours of May 28, 2005, after a short pursuit, a suspect vehicle pulled to the shoulder. The driver then exited his vehicle and opened fire on Tpr. Brandon J. Brashear with a semiautomatic rifle. Tpr. Brashear was shot numerous times, but was able to exchange fire with the subject. When assisting officers arrived at the scene, Tpr. Brashear, although critically wounded, remained conscious and was able to describe the suspect, weapon, and vehicle. The suspect was later apprehended. Tpr. Brashear has returned to work.
Citation of Valor
Trooper Jason E. Riggs, Troop I
On July 29, 2005, while on a guided fishing trip on Great Slave in the Northwest Territory of Canada, Tpr. Jason E. Riggs and Judge Greg Kays saved the life of their guide. Tpr. Riggs and Judge Kays entered 42-degree water, swam to the guide, then pulled him back to shore. Tpr. Riggs built a fire to prevent hypothermia and instructed Judge Kays in the proper care of the very weak and cold guide. Tpr. Riggs is a certified scuba diver and very aware of the extreme dangers associated with swimming in cold water. He was off-duty and in another country. He could have easily chosen not to act. Instead, he placed himself in considerable danger to save the guide’s life.
Officer of the Year
Sergeant Craig N. Ponder, Troop G
In March 2005, then-Corporal Craig N. Ponder responded to the home of Sergeant Carl D. “Dewayne” Graham Jr., who was found dead from gunshot wounds. Cpl. Ponder immediately took charge of the situation. Simultaneously, he led the investigation into the murder of his sergeant, ran the zone, and kept the Graham family informed. Cpl. Ponder never wavered from his duties––despite the depth of his grief. He was later promoted to sergeant. He again demonstrated his leadership abilities when the Taum Sauk Reservoir failed, allowing 1.5 billion gallons of water to escape. He supervised securing the area, closing damaged roadways, and searching for missing persons.
Civilian of the Year
Commercial Vehicle Officer II Ricky L. Talbert, Troop D
Commercial Vehicle Officer Supervisor I J. David Brooks, Troop D
Throughout their careers, Commercial Vehicle Officers Ricky L. Talbert and J. David Brooks have been successful in drug interdiction in the performance of their duties. They are assigned to portable scale truck 1532. In 2005, they were directly involved in 10 major drug interdictions, and responsible for seizing over 9,763 pounds of marijuana,15 kilos of cocaine, and $70,000.
Meritorious Citations
Trooper Jason L. Decker, Troop C
Trooper Brian J. Geier, Troop C
Corporal Kenneth J. Schulte, Q/DDCC
During a traffic stop, Tpr. Brian J. Geier arrested the driver. On the way to the local jail, the subject asked to speak with Division of Drug and Crime Control narcotics officers. Corporal Kenneth J. Schulte and Trooper Thomas P. Hunn spoke to him. The suspect agreed to assist officers in an attempt to obtain more cocaine. During the investigation, these officers and Trooper Jason L. Decker went to an apartment complex. They observed a fire in an adjacent apartment building, and immediately took action. They notified residents and assisted St. Louis County officers in evacuating approximately 30 residents from the building before it was fully engulfed in flames and subsequently lost. (It was determined the fire was not related to the investigation.)
Corporal S. Matthew Patterson, Troop D
On December 25, 2005, Corporal S. Matthew Patterson responded to a shooting in rural McDonald County. A domestic dispute had turned violent when a female shot her husband with a .38-caliber handgun. Cpl. Patterson located the suspect, who had placed a pistol to her head in an apparent suicide attempt. He remained calm and repeatedly gave her commands, finally talking her into dropping the handgun. The female suspect was then taken into custody.
Corporal Steven V. Wilhoit, Troop B
On July 2, 2005, Cpl. Steven V. Wilhoit responded to a residence in Bevier, Missouri. A female who lived at the residence had been in a domestic disturbance with her boyfriend. Cpl. Wilhoit spoke to the subject. After an hour of negotiation, the suspect lowered his left hand, which still held two knives. Cpl. Wilhoit instinctively moved forward, striking the suspect’s left hand with his baton, causing the suspect to drop the weapons. The suspect was subsequently subdued and arrested.
Lifesaving Citations
Trooper Matthew L. Keeney, Troop E
On November 15, 2005, seven and one-half inches of rain fell in Bollinger County in a short period of time. This caused a flash flood of the Castor River Campground on Missouri Highway 34. Sheriff Terry Wiseman requested assistance from Tpr. Keeney. Although off-duty, Trooper Keeney responded with his personal boat. He proved very adept at negotiating the flash flood, and was able to save the lives of six adults and three children.
Corporal Brian W. Vernon, Troop A
On Saturday, October 1, 2005, Cpl. Brian W. Vernon was at the Kansas City Trap Shooters Association range near Smithville Lake in Smithville, Missouri. He noticed a Missouri State Water Patrol vehicle. Cpl. Vernon responded to the clubhouse where he learned an 81-year-old man was suffering from a heart attack. Cpl. Vernon detected a pulse in the victim’s carotid artery, but discovered the man was not breathing. Administering a jaw thrust to the victim enabled Cpl. Vernon to open the man’s airway, thus, allowing him to breathe on his own. The man was sent to the Kansas University Medical Center where he underwent cardiac surgery. He has since recovered.
Corporal Jeffery T. Fitzgerald, Q/GD
Sergeant Donald D. Eads, Q/GD
On July 29, 2005, Sergeant Donald D. Eads, officer-in-charge, and Cpl. Jeffery T. Fitzgerald pulled from the water a woman found floating facedown in the casino’s moat. Cpl. Fitzgerald initiated and maintained cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 10 minutes until emergency medical personnel arrived. She later succumbed to her injuries. Sgt. Eads’ and Cpl. Fitzgerald’s immediate, decisive actions, gave this woman her best chance for survival.
Sergeant Dale O. Jinkens, Troop A
Lieutenant Michael W. Cross, Troop A
On May 28, 2005, Trooper Brandon J. Brashear initiated a vehicle pursuit on northbound Interstate 470. He was subsequently shot numerous times by the suspect vehicle’s driver, who then left the scene. Lt. Michael W. Cross and Sgt. Dale O. Jinkens responded to the scene, requested medical assistance from Troop A, and began first aid. They applied cover and pressure to the wounds, remaining calm under pressure and rendering aid to a wounded officer. Emergency personnel arrived and Tpr. Brashear was subsequently airlifted to Research Medical Center in Kansas City. Tpr. Brashear has since returned to work.
Memorial Award
Sergeant Carl D. “Dewayne” Graham Jr.
Troop G
On Sunday, March 20, 2005, Troop G Headquarters received a telephone call advising Sergeant Carl D. “Dewayne” Graham Jr. had been found dead at his residence. Sergeant Graham was still in his uniform, lying on the ground near his patrol car. An autopsy would reveal he had been ambushed, shot by a rifle and a shotgun. Sergeant Carl D. “Dewayne” Graham Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of Missouri, and became the 24th member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to die in the line of duty. He is survived by his young son and his parents.
Trooper Ralph C. Tatoian, Troop C
In the early morning hours of April 20, 2005, Troop C SERT was called to assist in a manhunt after an armed robbery suspect fired shots at Gasconade County deputies, stole a vehicle, and fled. While responding to this call, Trooper Ralph C. Tatoian was killed in a traffic crash. Both Trooper Tatoian’s vehicle and the tractor-trailer involved in the crash caught fire upon impact. Trooper Tatoian died instantly. Trooper Ralph C. Tatoian made the ultimate sacrifice while serving the citizens of Missouri, and became the 25th member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol to die in the line of duty. Trooper Tatoian is survived by his wife, his three young children, and his parents.
Corporal John A. “Jay” Sampietro Jr., Troop D
On August 17, 2005, Corporal John A. “Jay” Sampietro Jr. was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 44 in Webster County, near Strafford, MO. He later succumbed to his injuries. At the time he was struck, Corporal Sampietro was assisting the Patrol’s Major Crash Investigation Team at the site of an earlier traffic crash. Corporal John A. “Jay” Sampietro Jr. is the 26th member of the Patrol to make the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the citizens of Missouri. Corporal Sampietro is survived by his wife and his two young sons. Corporal Sampietro’s wife is a radio operator for the Patrol at Troop D Headquarters.
Trooper Donald K. “Kevin” Floyd, Troop G
Trooper Donald K. “Kevin” Floyd was struck by a vehicle on September 22, 2005, while working speed enforcement on U.S. Highway 60 in Texas County, approximately one mile east of Route MM. He succumbed to his injuries. Trooper Floyd had stopped an eastbound vehicle for a traffic violation. He had made contact with the driver of the vehicle and had turned to walk back to his Patrol vehicle when he was struck by a pickup truck. Trooper Donald K. “Kevin” Floyd is the 27th member of the Patrol to make the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the citizens of Missouri. Trooper Floyd is survived by his wife, his 19-year-old son, and his 16-year-old daughter.
The MASTERS Public Service Award
Sergeant Norman A. Murphy, Troop A
Sgt. Murphy has been an integral part of the Troy-Lincoln County community, since being assigned to the area after graduating from the Patrol’s Law Enforcement Academy 18 years ago. He has acted as a coach in football and soccer. In 2000, when there wasn’t a soccer league for children, he started one that has grown to include 650 athletes. In addition to mentoring area youth, Sergeant Murphy meets with parents to help them work through difficult times with their children. In 2005, the Troy Chamber of Commerce voted Sergeant Murphy “Man of the Year” to recognize his long-standing service and dedication to their community.