Kenneth Carpenter Jr., Dusty Johnson, Adam Miles, Sami Tscherning, Poplar Bluff Police Department

On the night of March 14, 2025, an EF-3 tornado ripped through Poplar Bluff, causing major destruction. The officers responded through a maze of debris to Fox Drive, where a tree had crashed through a house, trapping the resident. Officer Tscherning, who was first on the scene, found the victim in her bedroom, pinned under a giant tree and debris. The woman was severely injured. Officers Carpenter and Miles arrived next. The officers began carefully clearing debris, to reach the victim. Lt. Johnson, who was called back to work after a 12-hour shift, was sent to the residence. As he entered the house, the large tree shifted, crashing deeper into the wreckage and increasing the danger. As the officers gingerly dislodged the victim, they learned no ambulances were available. With time of the essence because of the victim’s severe injuries, the officers carried her to the bed of a police pickup truck. Lt. Johnson tended to the victim as Officer Carpenter navigated his way through several miles of debris to the hospital. Teamwork and quick thinking were essential under circumstances that demanded improvisation, compassion and skill to get the severely injured victim to lifesaving care at the hospital. Fortunately, the victim has made a full recovery. Lt. Johnson retired from the department in July after 19 years of service. Carpenter is now a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Elliott Barton, Todd Derr, Brandon Harrison, Jasmine Juares, Justin McElroy, Derek Rice, Michelle Ritter, Nathaniel Stapleton, St. Joseph Police Department

On March 27, 2025, after a violent carjacking in downtown St. Joseph, Officer Juares and Field Training Officer Stapleton located the vehicle, attempted a traffic stop and, when the two suspects took off, initiated what became a heart-racing 11-minute pursuit. As the driver raced through city streets and alleys, his accomplice fired at least seven bursts of shots at Juares and Stapleton, striking the patrol vehicle. Stapleton returned fire when safe to do so. Detective Ritter joined the pursuit, and her vehicle also sustained gunfire damage. Officers briefly lost sight of the suspect vehicle, but Detective Harrison located it and attempted to block the vehicle, but the carjackers rammed his patrol car. Sergeant Derr then took the lead, executing two controlled strikes, disabling the vehicle. Both suspects then fled on foot. Detective Harrison managed to apprehend the driver. Detectives Barton and McElroy and Officer Rice pursued the armed passenger through residential yards and over fences. The gunman turned and pointed his weapon at Barton and McElroy. Facing an imminent threat to their lives, both detectives discharged their service weapons. Officer Rice also fired. The gunman was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. During a high intensity, life-threatening ordeal, all eight officers acted with professionalism and skill and safely ended a severe threat to the public. Derr has been promoted to captain. Stapleton has been promoted to detective.