Reset

Benjamin L. Cooper, Joplin Police Department

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Red, White and Blue Heart Award

On March 8, 2022, Joplin Police Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed responded to a business for a disturbance call. As they attempted to take a suspect into custody he pulled a concealed gun and shot Cooper and Reed, mortally wounding both officers. The gunman then fled the scene in Corporal Cooper’s patrol vehicle. Officers gave chase as the gunman fired at them. The gunman crashed the patrol vehicle and attempted to steal a minivan. Officer Hirshey located the gunman and positioned his vehicle to prevent the gunman from fleeing in the minivan. The gunman fired at Officer Hirshey, who received a life-threatening gunshot wound to his face. The bullet entered Officer Hirshey’s cheek under his left eye and traveled through his head before becoming lodged in his neck. He underwent surgery and was hospitalized for eight days. He returned to work on light duty on June 30, 2022. The bullet remains lodged in his neck to this day.

William E. Davis and Rick D. Hirshey, Joplin Police Department

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Medal of Valor

On March 8, 2022, Joplin Police Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed responded to a business for a disturbance call. As they attempted to take a suspect into custody, the man pulled a concealed gun and shot Cooper and Reed, mortally wounding both. The gunman then fled the scene in Corporal Cooper’s patrol vehicle. Officers gave chase as the gunman fired at them. The gunman crashed the patrol vehicle and attempted to steal a minivan. Officer Hirshey located the gunman and positioned his vehicle to prevent the gunman from fleeing in the minivan. The gunman fired at Officer Hirshey, who received a life-threatening gunshot wound to his face. Captain Davis arrived on the scene and was also fired upon. He shot and killed the gunman. On a tragic day when two members of the Joplin Police Department were killed and the community threatened, Officer Hirshey and Captain Davis responded courageously, decisively and ended a danger to the police department and Joplin itself.

Barry W. Morgan Jr., Mississippi County Sheriff’s Office and Joshua J. Schuenemeyer, Missouri State Highway Patrol

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Medal of Valor

On the morning of March 17, 2022, heavy fog enveloped Interstate 57 near Charleston, Mo., contributing to a chain reaction crash involving more than 45 vehicles, including many tractor trailers. The crash killed five people and injured more than a dozen others. Captain Morgan and Trooper Schuenemeyer were among the first emergency personnel on the scene. Captain Morgan found a seriously injured driver trapped in the driver’s seat in the remains of a tractor. Its cab had been torn away and the driver was screaming for help. Trooper Schuenemeyer, who had been assisting other motorists, arrived and he and Captain Morgan attempted to pull away the crumpled dashboard and free the driver. So much of the tractor had been ripped away that the two stood on the engine block as they attempted the rescue. Fire service personnel had not yet reached this area of the crash scene and trucks and cars were burning around the remains of the tractor; the ground beneath it was covered with diesel fuel. Fire and intense heat were encroaching on all sides. Captain Morgan and Trooper Schuenemeyer attempted to pull the driver out through the passenger doorway, but his legs were caught under the dashboard. With time running out, Trooper Schuenemeyer ran to the driver side of the truck, placing himself between two burning tractor-trailers. Flames now burned overhead. Fire had spread to the tractor. Trooper Schuenemeyer was able to free the driver’s legs and Captain Morgan pulled the driver out the passenger doorway as flames spread across the remains of the wreckage. The driver was transported to a local hospital. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries as he was being flown to another hospital. In the midst of a massive crash scene, with fire burning all around them, Captain Morgan and Trooper Schuenemeyer each displayed undaunted courage and resourcefulness, risking their own lives in an attempt to save the life of the severely injured truck driver.

Garrett T. Worley, Bonne Terre Police Department

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Red, White and Blue Heart Award

At about 12:30 a.m. on March 17, 2022, Bonne Terre Police were dispatched to a disturbance at a local motel. Patrolman Burns and Corporal Worley arrived and were walking up to the room where the disturbance had been reported. As they approached the room, a gunman armed with a large-caliber pistol walked out the door and ambushed the officers. Both officers were able to return fire, stopping the gunman’s advance. The gunman died at the scene. Patrolman Burns was struck and mortally wounded in his upper torso, just above his ballistic vest. Corporal Worley was struck in his lower left leg and seriously wounded. He was treated at the scene and then flown to a hospital in St. Louis. He underwent several surgeries and advanced treatment. Faced with an ambush, Patrolman Burns and Corporal Worley exhibited remarkable courage and quickly reacted to the attack, ending the threat the gunman posed to the community. Patrolman Burns gave his life protecting the community he loved and swore to serve. Corporal Worley continues to combat violence and valiantly serve the people of Bonne Terre.

Lane A. Burns, Bonne Terre Police Department

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Red, White and Blue Heart Award

At about 12:30 a.m. on March 17, 2022, Bonne Terre Police were dispatched to a disturbance at a local motel. Patrolman Burns and Corporal Worley arrived and were walking up to the room where the disturbance had been reported. As they approached the room, a gunman armed with a large-caliber pistol walked out the door and ambushed the officers. Both officers were able to return fire, stopping the gunman’s advance. The gunman died at the scene. Patrolman Burns was struck and mortally wounded in his upper torso, just above his ballistic vest. Corporal Worley was struck in his lower left leg and seriously wounded. He was treated at the scene and then flown to a hospital in St. Louis. He underwent several surgeries and advanced treatment. Faced with an ambush, Patrolman Burns and Corporal Worley exhibited remarkable courage and quickly reacted to the attack, ending the threat the gunman posed to the community. Patrolman Burns gave his life protecting the community he loved and swore to serve. Corporal Worley continues to combat violence and valiantly serve the people of Bonne Terre.

Dustin W. Brandhorst, Ebenezer Fire Protection District

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Red, White and Blue Heart Award

On the night of March 18, 2022, Firefighter Brandhorst was responding to a structure fire as part of a mutual aid agreement between the Ebenezer Fire Protection District and the Stratford Fire Protection District. Firefighter Brandhorst was driving a tender truck with his seat belt fastened and the truck’s lights and siren activated. He was not able negotiate a curve and the truck overturned, killing Brandhorst. Firefighter Brandhorst, had been a volunteer firefighter in the district for three years and was on his way to fulfilling his dream of becoming a full-time career firefighter. The husband and father of two was incredibly committed to hard work and public service and, in 2019, had been honored for serving more volunteer hours than anyone else in the district.

Donald W. Fessler, Missouri Department of Conservation

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Medal of Valor

At 12:41 p.m. on June 27, 2022, Agent Fessler was on routine patrol when he heard a Missouri State Highway Patrol radio call about a major train derailment crash near Mendon, in Chariton County. At 12:51 p.m., Agent Fessler arrived on the scene before any other first responders. As he moved on foot toward a derailed Amtrak train with his medical bags, people were running toward him and pointing to a ditch. There, he found a truck driver whose dump truck had been struck by the train. Agent Fessler and a civilian began administering CPR, but the victim could not be revived. Agent Fessler then moved toward the train wreckage, where there were many seriously injured passengers. He triaged the scene, rendered aid and directed other arriving first responders. He then determined to climb into the train cars laying on their sides to search for and assist victims who could not evacuate. The interior was dark, hot and chaotic. Agent Fessler searched for the most seriously injured with his flashlight. He found Anthony Bryant, an Amtrak employee, who was bleeding profusely from his right shoulder and arm, which were trapped between the ground and the train wreckage. He applied quick clot and gauze to stop the bleeding from the shoulder. He then began to dig out rock and debris from around Mr. Bryant’s arm. Agent Fessler remained with Mr. Bryant for about two hours, keeping him calm as he continued to try to free his arm. Eventually, EMS and firefighters arrived with the Jaws of Life and other equipment to help free Mr. Bryant’s arm. Mr. Bryant was pulled from the wreckage strapped to a backboard. Agent Fessler would visit Mr. Bryant at Missouri Orthopedic Institute as he recovered from the amputation of his right arm. Agent Fessler received notes of thanks from train passengers in recognition of his attentive care and kindness. Arriving at a large scene of destruction with dozens of victims seriously injured, Agent Fessler remained calm and assisted many injured passengers. His compassionate care for Anthony Bryant likely saved Mr. Bryant’s life.

Kevin Jeffries and Justin Parrack, nominated by Missouri State Highway Patrol

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award

On July 5, 2022, Troop D troopers were dispatched to Missouri 13 in Greene County, where a vehicle was northbound in the southbound lanes. Upon investigation, troopers learned that a motorist driving an SUV had suffered a cardiac emergency and was unresponsive as his vehicle traveled north. The SUV traveled into the median and continued northbound. Two motorists who had been driving north separately – Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Parrack – parked their vehicles on the shoulder and ran to intercept the uncontrolled SUV. Jeffries and Parrack ran beside the vehicle in the median and attempted to awaken the occupant, who was slumped over the console toward the passenger seat. They then tried to enter the vehicle from the passenger side but the door was locked. They moved back to the driver side of the vehicle and resumed their efforts to awaken the driver. The vehicle had now shifted from the median to traveling northbound in the southbound passing lane of the four-lane highway. Oncoming traffic had to take evasive action to avoid a collision. Jeffries and Parrack were finally able to enter the SUV, steer it back into the median and stop the vehicle. Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Parrack now saw the driver was not breathing and was in cardiac arrest. They pulled him from the vehicle and began administering CPR. They continued until Ebenezer Fire Protection District personnel arrived. The victim, Richard Mogan of Eldorado Springs, had been driving home from a round of cancer radiation treatment in Springfield. He was subsequently treated by EMS personnel and transported to Mercy Hospital – Springfield, where he was treated and recovered. The Highway Patrol reunited him with Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Parrack at Troop D headquarters in December. Mr. Jeffries and Mr. Parrack acted bravely and without concern for their own safety. Their actions likely prevented a collision and saved Mr. Mogan’s life.

Daniel F. Vasquez, North Kansas City Police Department

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Red, White and Blue Heart Award

At about 10:40 a.m. on July 19, 2022, Officer Vasquez was on patrol when he observed a vehicle with an expired Missouri temporary license plate. Officer Vasquez activated his overhead light bar and initiated a traffic stop. As he approached the driver side off the stopped vehicle, the driver discharged a firearm, striking Officer Vasquez and causing him to fall to the ground. The driver then exited the vehicle and shot Officer Vasquez again before fleeing the scene. Responding officers immediately performed first aid until paramedics arrived on the scene. Officer Vasquez was transferred to a hospital but his injuries were too severe and he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Officer Vasquez’s lifelong dream was to become a police officer. He gained experience toward his chosen profession by working as a security officer for a private firm patrolling in northeast Kansas City and as a civilian detention officer with the Kansas City Police Department. In January 2021, he entered the Kansas City Regional Police Academy, where he graduated in July 2021. He had served with the North Kansas City Police Department for just over one year before his life was tragically cut short in a senseless act of violence.

Tanner J. Muckenthaler and Brendan D. Gamble, Branson Police Department

2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Medal of Valor

On August 13, 2022, Sergeant Muckenthaler and Officer Gamble responded to a head-on collision on Fall Creek Road just outside of Branson’s jurisdiction because there were reports of injuries. A Jeep was on fire with a man trapped inside the smoke-filled vehicle. The man was screaming in agony because of severe injuries and the toxic smoke; smoke was also pouring out of a sedan. The situation demanded fast, resourceful action. Sergeant Muckenthaler quickly assisted in getting the driver of the sedan to safety. But a couple was trapped inside the Jeep. A civilian, Shane Childress, managed to get the Jeep’s doors unlocked and opened, dispersing some of the smoke. The driver exited, but the passenger was seat-belted in, suffering from a severely broken leg and unable to get out. Mr. Childress attempted to put out the fire with fire extinguishers without success. The fire was growing and the toxic smoke in the cabin was stifling. Sergeant Muckenthaler used a knife to cut the passenger’s seatbelt. Officer Gamble had now arrived and attempted to assist by getting into the SUV through the driver’s door but was repelled by the smoke. He then joined Sergeant Muckenthaler at the passenger’s door and together they were able to lift the screaming man out of the vehicle. The two officers then moved him to a safe distance from the fire. They then instructed everyone to get away from the burning Jeep, which was fully engulfed in flames within 45 seconds. Had it not been for the quick actions of Sergeant Childress, Officer Gamble and Mr. Childress, the passenger likely would have died in the smoke and fire.