MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
a division of the
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Troop F Headquarters - 2920 North Shamrock Road - Jefferson City, MO 65102
NEWS RELEASE
For further information please contact:
Sergeant Scott White
(573) 751-1000
F180201
February 8, 2018
EMPHASIS:
Patrol Awards Honorary Trooper Certificate To Camdenton High School Wrestling Coach
Captain Michael A. Turner, commanding officer of Troop F, Jefferson City, announces that Mr. Grant A. Leighty, Camdenton, Missouri, was awarded a Missouri State Highway Patrol Honorary Trooper Certificate as a result of his courageous actions on September 24, 2017. The Honorary Trooper Certificate is presented to a non-employee who performs in an exemplary manner, and under dangerous conditions, to aid another, or who unselfishly assists a member in the performance of their duties. Mr. Leighty was nominated due to his actions after a boat explosion at Lake of the Ozarks. The presentation was held at 8 a.m. on Thursday, February 8, 2018, at the Camdenton High School, in Camdenton, Missouri.
On September 24, 2017, Mr. Leighty was on a boat dock near the 31-mile marker at Lake of the Ozarks when an explosion occurred on a nearby vessel. Mr. Leighty ran from his dock to the burning vessel and observed two individuals in the water, who had sustained serious injuries. Despite the burning debris, Mr. Leighty jumped into the lake and swam both injured individuals to a personal watercraft lift so they could be removed from the water. Once emergency responders arrived on scene, Mr. Leighty stayed with the individual who was most critical and aided EMS.
“Mr. Leighty is deserving of the Honorary Trooper Certificate after performing in such an exemplary manner, under dangerous conditions,” Captain Turner said. “Unknowingly, Mr. Leighty upheld the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s motto of Service and Protection while risking his own life.”
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