DPS Team Members of the Month

May Sworn Team Member of the Month

Phillip G. Sarakas
Sergeant
Missouri State Highway Patrol

May Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month

Cassondra Stevens
Veterans Service Officer
Missouri Veterans Commission

Phillip Sarakas, a Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant assigned to Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for May 2024 for his excellent handling of a critical incident – the pursuit and apprehension of four suspects in a bank robbery that occured in Iowa.

On Nov. 16, 2023, while working in Wayne County, Phillip heard radio traffic concerning a vehicle southbound on U.S. Highway 67 associated with the Iowa bank robbery and whose driver was suspected in a drive-by shooting. He closely monitored southbound traffic and soon recognized a vehicle matching the broadcast description. After verifying the vehicle and registration with Troop E Radio, he followed the vehicle while waiting for other officers to respond before making a traffic stop. When enough officers were in place, Phillip activated his emergency equipment and made a traffic stop. The driver and front seat passenger were taken into custody, but the two other men fled in the vehicle, leading to a lengthy vehicle pursuit that ended in Piedmont, Mo., when the vehicle crashed into a utility pole. The men were taken into custody after a foot pursuit. A large amount of stolen cash was recovered and there were no injuries, in part because of the organized response begun by Phillip.

From the start of this potentially highly dangerous event, Phillip exercised caution and good judgment – waiting until he had adequate backup and until after the pursuit had passed the area of an elementary school before initiating the traffic stop. He also provided up to date, accurate information to Troop E Radio, which allowed other officers to get into position to respond.