DPS Employees of the Month
October Sworn Employee of the Month
Joshua L. Dunmire
Trooper
Missouri State Highway Patrol
October Non-Sworn Employee of the Month
Abby Howard
Communications Operator II
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Joshua L. Dunmire, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety October 2019 Sworn Employee of the Month. Joshua is a Trooper assigned to Troop I, Zone 9, Crawford County.
Joshua, a member of the Patrol since 2013, was selected for his strong work ethic and dedication to duty, which have made a major impact in reducing crime in Missouri.Â
On March 18, 2019, Joshua stopped a car for traffic violations while working a special assignment on Interstate 70 in Saline County. While talking with the driver, Joshua realized the driver's itinerary was implausible and suspected criminal activity. Joshua developed probable cause and conducted a search of the vehicle. As a result, 14.5 pounds of raw marijuana, 47 vacuum-sealed packages of THC oil cartridges, 4,700 THC vape cartridges (10 pounds of THC oil), about four pounds of THC-infused edibles, and about one pound of marijuana cigars laced with hashish were seized.
On March 29, 2019, Joshua stopped a vehicle on Interstate 44 in Crawford County. Circumstances related to the traffic stop led Joshua to ask for and receive consent to search the vehicle. As a result, almost one pound of Ecstasy pills, $1,200 cash, and 21 grams of marijuana were seized.
During the month of March 2019, Joshua made 33 criminal arrests, including 23 drug arrests. He also arrested six motorists for driving while intoxicated and made nine warrant arrests.
Congratulations, Joshua! You have set an outstanding example for your fellow team members throughout the Department of Public Safety!
Abby Howard, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, has been selected as the Department of Public Safety October 2019 Non-Sworn Employee of the Month. Abby is a Communications Operator II in Troop H and has been with the Patrol for four years.
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Abby was selected for her life-saving actions when a delivery person collapsed in a box store. On Aug. 2, 2019, after working her overnight shift at Troop H Headquarters, Abby went shopping for school supplies for her children at the Walmart Supercenter in St. Joseph. When a man delivering Pepsi products collapsed, Abby immediately left her cart and belongings and went to his aid.
Abby determined the man was unresponsive and called 9-1-1. Emergency personnel gave her instructions over the phone, helping Abby administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation to the victim. She performed CPR for about 10 minutes until paramedics arrived and relieved her. The victim was transported to Mosaic Hospital. He responded to treatment and was released to recuperate at home after being hospitalized for nine days.
Doctors told the victim’s family that the initial first aid Abby provided saved the man's life.
Congratulations, Abby, for your outstanding commitment to public safety – on duty and off – and the example you have set for other team members throughout the Department of Public Safety!
The Missouri Department of Public Safety. Many Missions. One Team.