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. J. Tim Hull
Q04101 (573) 526-6115

April 19, 2010
EMPHASIS: Patrol Honors 13 Employees

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, is proud to announce 13 employees were honored at the Patrol’s 20th annual awards and The MASTERS banquet on April 17, 2010. Held at the Holiday Inn Select Executive Center in Columbia, MO, family, friends, and The MASTERS members gathered to honor the heroes of 2009. Lieutenant Colonel Richard L. Coffey, Q/Staff, served as emcee; Troop C’s Color Guard presented the colors while CTE Roger Heard, Troop H, played the bagpipes; Mrs. Mila Moore sang the National Anthem; Patrol Chaplain Rev. William F. “Bill” Koch from the United Methodist Church, in Kirksville, MO, gave the invocation and benediction; and Colonel Replogle presented the awards. Dr. Wes Stricker, president of The MASTERS, presented The MASTERS Public Service Award. A special presentation included a videotaped interview with retired Lt. Walter Wilson, who at the age of 100 is the oldest living Patrol retiree. Listed are the descriptions and awards:

2009
The MASTERS Public Service Award
Lieutenant James W. Remillard, Troop I

Lieutenant James W. Remillard, Troop I, has been an important part of his community for years, giving of his time and talents to assist others in need. During scheduled vacation periods from work, he uses his carpentry skills in semi-annual mission trips through his church. He assisted in the complete renovation of a medical clinic in Belle, Missouri, which now offers free services to the public. When another church was facing financial difficulty, Lieutenant Remillard volunteered to help in the extensive renovation of the church’s parsonage. When a Rolla city police officer’s home sustained residential damage due to flooding, he volunteered his carpentry skills and tools to make repairs. As a lieutenant and member of Troop I’s command staff, he responds immediately when called upon, is a certified instructor, is relied upon for in-depth knowledge of emergency response/disaster relief, and serves on the MoDOT/MSHP Insurance Board of Trustees. He is dedicated also to the Patrol family.

Lieutenant James W. Remillard is a dedicated professional who unselfishly lends his time and talents to help family, friends, and his community whenever he sees a need. Both professionally and personally, he gives his time to make Missouri a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It is the feeling of the board of The MASTERS that Lieutenant Remillard embodies what this Public Service Award represents. His actions are a credit to himself and to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.


2009
Memorial Award
Corporal Dennis E. Engelhard, Troop C

Corporal Dennis E. Engelhard was struck by a vehicle at 10:30 a.m., on December 25, 2009. A driver lost control of his vehicle on the ice covered roadway and struck Corporal Engelhard as he was completing a traffic crash investigation on westbound Interstate 44 east of Eureka, MO. At the time of the crash, Corporal Engelhard was standing behind his patrol vehicle waiting for a tow truck to arrive at the non-injury traffic crash he was working. Corporal Engelhard was transported by ambulance to the hospital with serious injuries. At 11:20 a.m., Corporal Engelhard died from the injuries he sustained as a result of the crash. Corporal Engelhard spent his entire life helping others, as a paramedic, a flight paramedic, and a trooper. At the Missouri State Highway Patrol, he was known as a thorough investigator and report writer. Corporal Dennis E. Engelhard is the 28th member of the Patrol to make the ultimate sacrifice while serving and protecting the citizens of Missouri.


2009
Lifesaving Award
Communications Operator I Amber R. Burns, Troop H

On April 22, 2009, Communications Operator I Amber R. Burns was off duty and eating lunch at a restaurant in Chillicothe, Missouri. While she was eating, she saw another patron collapse. Communications Operator I Burns discovered the man was not breathing and did not have a heartbeat. She began one-person cardiopulmonary resuscitation while the patron’s co-worker called 9-1-1. Once a call for assistance had been made, the co-worker assisted Communications Operator I Burns with cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The patron began breathing on his own after five to ten minutes. An ambulance arrived and transported the gentleman to the hospital, where it was determined he had suffered a blood clot in his lungs. He has since fully recovered and returned to work.


2009
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Timothy S. Craig, Troop C

On May 8, 2009, Trooper Timothy S. Craig responded to the area of Interstate 55 near Missouri Route Y, where flood waters were rising out of the banks of the Establishment Creek. Conservation Agent Rob Sulkowski also arrived to provide assistance. The water rose so quickly, it trapped residents in a nearby convenience store and welding shop. The water also filled the median and began to rise over the interstate lanes. Trooper Craig quickly closed the southbound lanes of Interstate 55, and directed Agent Sulkowski to do the same on the northbound lanes. Before they could be closed, water began to flood the northbound lanes. At that time, a vehicle skidded out of control and overturned into the median, coming to rest in the flood water on the driver’s side. Trooper Craig and Agent Sulkowski rushed to the vehicle, where the driver was trapped. Agent Sulkowski held the vehicle while Trooper Craig pulled the driver from the passenger door. He then carried the driver out of the flood water onto the highway. After both Trooper Craig and Agent Sulkowski reached the pavement, the water rose to a level causing the vehicle to roll over onto its top, completely submerging the passenger compartment.

2009
Lifesaving Award
Trooper Lonnie R. Lejeune, Troop E

On January 29, 2009, a winter storm hit most of Troop E, leaving areas without power, and roads and trees covered in ice. Trooper Lonnie R. Lejeune was patrolling north of Sikeston, MO, on County Road 448 when he heard a female screaming. He then observed two females near the base of a tree where a ladder was standing. He stopped to offer assistance, and saw a man hanging by his neck in the “V” of the tree. His body appeared limp and he did not appear to be breathing. Trooper Lejeune climbed the ladder, hooked his left arm around the ice-covered tree to anchor himself, and used his right arm to pull the man toward him in order to keep the man’s head upright and open his airway. At this time, the man began to breathe. Trooper Lejeune maintained his position, holding an approximately 200-pound, lifeless man and himself for 15 minutes. The man was later flown to a hospital in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, with two collapsed lungs, and numerous broken ribs and other bones. He has since made a full recovery.

2009
Meritorious Service Award
Trooper Robert P. Dudeck, Troop H
Trooper Dale R. Reuter

On February 13, 2009, Trooper Robert P. Dudeck and Trooper Dale R. Reuter responded to a call for assistance from the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department regarding a suspicious person at a residence. Upon arrival, a witness advised that the subject had entered a nearby residence armed with a rifle. The subject was the only person inside the residence.

Troopers Dudeck, Trooper Reuter, and Maryville police officers made entry into the house through the garage entrance. As they entered the residence, they heard what they thought was a muffled gunshot come from the living room area. Trooper Reuter breached the door to the living area and observed a man standing in the kitchen holding a gun. He retreated and took a position of cover on the left side of the doorway. Trooper Dudeck took a position on the right side of the doorway, maintaining cover for himself. Troopers Dudeck and Reuter then ordered the subject to drop his weapon and show his hands. The subject did not comply, and started to raise the weapon in the direction of the officers. Fearing for his life and the lives of the other officers, Trooper Dudeck fired his duty weapon. A round struck the subject in the right arm and he fell to the ground. At that time, Troopers Dudeck and Reuter entered the kitchen area, took the subject into custody, and assisted in securing the rest of the residence.


2009
Meritorious Service Award
Trooper Cody G. Dunfee, Troop A

On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, Trooper Cody G. Dunfee accompanied deputies of the Bates County Sheriff’s Department as they served a search warrant at a residence in rural Bates County. The resident, and subject of the warrant, was being sought on two outstanding warrants for attempted murder.

Trooper Dunfee was assigned to make the initial entry into the residence and lead the deputies. He continuously announced their presence as he entered the residence and began clearing rooms. He utilized his SWAT training as he attempted to locate the suspect. As Trooper Dunfee approached a wall separating the kitchen from the living room, the suspect appeared from a bedroom and fired one round from a lever action 30-30 rifle. The round struck Trooper Dunfee in the lower right portion of his abdomen. The bullet was stopped by his Patrol assigned SWAT ballistic vest. Trooper Dunfee immediately returned fire with his assigned Colt M-4 rifle, striking the suspect. At that time, the suspect retreated to a bedroom where communication with the suspect was attempted with negative results. Several minutes later, the seriously wounded suspect, who had no avenue of escape, killed himself with a .380-caliber semi-automatic pistol.


2009
Meritorious Service Award
Corporal Timmy D. Shoop, Troop B

On May 23, 2009, Corporal Timmy D. Shoop was advised of a one-vehicle traffic crash on U.S. Highway 24 in Chariton County. A vehicle had traveled off the roadway and into the Middle Fork branch of the Chariton River. Corporal Shoop arrived at the scene approximately 15 minutes after being notified and found bystanders and a Salisbury police officer at the scene. The vehicle had floated downstream approximately 200 feet, and only the roof was visible. It was unknown how many occupants were in the vehicle. Corporal Shoop entered the chilling, 60-degree, muddy river, which had a strong current due to recent rainstorms, and checked the vehicle for occupants. Because the vehicle was completely submerged, Corporal Shoop had to swim underwater to check the vehicle. He located a male subject in the passenger seat. Corporal Shoop quickly removed the man from the vehicle and turned him over to emergency medical personnel, who were able to establish a pulse. He then returned to the submerged vehicle and determined there were no other occupants. The man was transported to a hospital, where he later died.

2009
Meritorious Service Award
Sergeant Chris J. Harris, Troop F

On May 5, 2009, Sergeant Chris J. Harris was at the Patrol Garage while his vehicle was being serviced. He overheard radio traffic regarding an individual who had made threats against public officials in the Osage County Courthouse. It was learned that the suspect was on a motorcycle and armed with several weapons. Local Troop F officers and deputies from Osage and Cole counties had begun a search for the subject. Sergeant Harris borrowed a patrol car and responded to the area. While traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 50, he learned the motorcycle had been located in Westphalia and shots were fired. Sergeant Harris was at the south junction of U.S. Highways 50 and 63 when he met the subject. He then joined the pursuit which was traveling over 70 miles per hour. The subject fired upon a deputy’s patrol vehicle, thus Sergeant Harris requested an ambulance to check on the deputy and continued his pursuit. As the subject approached Jefferson City and innocent civilians, Sergeant Harris made the decision that the subject had to be stopped. Once he reached an area allowing him a rapid and somewhat safe approach, Sergeant Harris struck the rear of the motorcycle with the front of the patrol car. The motorcycle became stuck in the grill of the patrol car and remained upright. The subject fell off the motorcycle, and when he came to a stop, he took his own life. The investigation discovered the subject had two handguns, one rifle, and one shotgun along with over 700 rounds of ammunition for the weapons.

2009
Civilian of the Year
Fingerprint Technician Supervisor Tammy R. Byrd, Q/CJISD

Fingerprint Technician Supervisor Tammy R. Byrd, Q/CJISD, has worked tirelessly with the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking, the federal agency with oversight of state Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act compliance. She has been instrumental in working with state and local agencies in setting state standard operating procedures and recommending legislation items that must be passed in order to bring Missouri into compliance. She is a key member of the State Sex Offender Management Committee. In addition, Ms. Byrd has worked to enhance the state’s sex offender registry web site. In 2009, the Missouri Supreme Court reversed the decision of Doe v. Keathley, which in 2005 released 4,465 sex offenders from their duty to register. The Sex Offender Address Verification system put in place by Ms. Byrd was instrumental in assisting local law enforcement agencies with the registration of these offenders. Ms. Byrd was also instrumental in organizing Sex Offender Management and Training Symposiums, and served as the keynote speaker. She has received excellent reviews from those attending the symposiums and from those who have relied upon her expertise. Letters from outside agencies describe Ms. Byrd as dedicated, knowledgeable, efficient, and customer service oriented.


2009
Benjamin Oliver Booth Officer of the Year
Corporal Douglas M. McDaniel, Troop E

Corporal Douglas M. McDaniel is a 15-year veteran of the Patrol. Currently, he is assigned to Troop E, Zone 14, as a commercial vehicle enforcement trooper. In his assigned duties, he has inspected hundreds of commercial motor vehicles for safety violations. In 2009, he placed 11 percent of the drivers and 14 percent of the vehicles out-of-service.

Corporal McDaniel has attended specialized interdiction training, which greatly benefits the Patrol. In January 2009, he shared information with another trooper resulting in a traffic stop and seizure of $1.5 million on Interstate 55 in New Madrid County. In March 2009, Corporal McDaniel seized 20 kilos of cocaine from a commercial motor vehicle in Cape Girardeau County. He has developed a network of trusted federal, state, and local officers to share intelligence, trends, and criminal interdiction techniques. In September 2009, federal agents in Texas contacted him with information that Corporal McDaniel relayed to Troop D, Springfield. As a result, 20 kilos of cocaine was seized. In another case, intelligence shared by Corporal McDaniel led to the seizure of $300,000 in Illinois. He has assisted the DEA out-of-state on two separate occasions due to his expertise in locating hidden compartments.

2009
Valor Award
Trooper Dewey K. Heppe, Troop E

Presented to Trooper Dewey K. Heppe, Troop E, on the seventeenth day of April 2010 in recognition of the valor displayed at the scene of a plane crash.

On October 31, 2009, Trooper Heppe was off duty and working in his yard when he saw a two seat Piper single engine airplane crash during takeoff on a private air strip behind his property. Trooper Heppe had his personal cellular telephone on his person, and immediately called Troop E Headquarters for assistance as he ran toward the crash. As he ran to the scene, the airplane exploded, which engulfed the cockpit in flames. Without regard to his own safety, Trooper Heppe reached into the burning wreckage and pulled the passenger from the aircraft. He then began to extinguish the flames and removed the burning clothing from the man. Trooper Heppe reported the man’s breathing was shallow as he was extinguishing the flames, but then the gentleman, who was severely burned, stopped breathing. He was unable to get to the pilot of the aircraft due to the flames. Trooper Heppe sustained minor burns on his hands from the fire.

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