Medal Recipient Search
Channing Cochran and David Ostendorf, Independence Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On April 17, 2023, Officers Cochran and Ostendorf were dispatched to a traffic crash with injuries at U.S. Highway 40 and 47th Street in Independence. Upon arrival, one of the vehicles was on fire with a passenger trapped inside. The driver had been able to exit the vehicle with a two-month-old child. But the other passenger had a serious leg injury that prevented him from getting out, and he was slipping in and out of consciousness. Officers Cochran and Ostendorf fought through intense heat and smoke as they worked to free the victim and the fire encroached the passenger compartment. They were able to pull the victim out of the vehicle and drag him to safety only seconds before the fire intensified and reached the interior of the vehicle. With time running short and an injured man trapped inside a burning vehicle, Officers Cochran and Ostendorf acted swiftly and with single-minded determination saved the victim’s life.
Travis Sanders, Greene County Sheriff’s Office
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
At about 10 a.m. on April 23, 2023, Corporal Sanders responded to an isolated rural area in Greene County after a man wearing an ankle monitor left a suicide note for his family and made suicidal statement. He said he intended to kill himself rather than go back to prison. The subject was tracked to his location through the ankle monitor. Corporal Sanders located the subject as he appeared to be drowning in Pickerel Creek close to its confluence with Big Sac River. He was in three-to-four feet of water, bent forward into floating brush with his head in the water. He was sucking in water as he breathed, gasping and vomiting. From the creek bank, Corporal Sanders attempted to keep the subject’s head out of the water without success. Corporal Sanders removed his duty belt, entered the chilly water and pulled the subject to the bank, where a civilian helped pull him out of the water. Fire and EMS radios did not work in the isolated area and the ambulance could not traverse woods and fields to the creek. For this reason, a helicopter was requested. To get the patient to the helicopter’s landing area required Corporal Sanders and another officer to secure the patient to a stretcher and carry him across the creek and up a steep embankment. The patient was transported to a hospital and received life-saving treatment. With a man’s life in grave risk, Corporal Sanders thought creatively and acted decisively, overcoming many obstacles in the process of helping save the man’s life.
Alfred Allmon Jr., Nicholas Jones, William Stevenson, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On the afternoon of April 28, 2023, Officers Jones and Stevenson responded to an apartment building in the Skinker DeBaliviere neighborhood, where relatives requested assistance with a man in mental health crisis. At the apartment, they located the subject on a bathroom floor. EMS was called and responded. Officers Jones and Stevenson and a crisis response unit clinician attempted to talk with the man. Jones and Stevenson then attempted to lift the man from the floor, when he pulled a concealed pistol and fired two shots, striking Officer Stevenson in the right shoulder. The porcelain toilet was broken into several sharp pieces during the violent struggle as the officers worked to get the gun away from the subject, bring him under control, and protect their fellow officers. Officer Jones received a head injury in the struggle, and Officer Allmon, who had responded to an Officers in need of aid call, suffered a large laceration to his left arm. Officers Stevenson and Allmon were transported to Barnes Hospital. Officer Stevenson was treated for four puncture wounds to his right shoulder and released. Officer Allmon received stitches for the laceration to his arm. Officer Jones refused treatment at the scene. The gunman was treated for a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his right hand and underwent a psychiatric evaluation. Despite being injured, the three officers worked together to control a violent gunman and never fired a shot despite the danger he posed.
Chris Coleman, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On May 21, 2023, Deputy Sheriff Chris Coleman responded to a motor vehicle crash on Highway T near the intersection with Fiddle Creek Road. There were downed power lines, so Deputy Coleman closed Highway T. While directing traffic be saw that an Ameren Missouri truck had arrived; shortly after, he noticed smoke coming from the truck. He grabbed a fire extinguisher from his patrol vehicle and as he headed to the Ameren truck, he saw that the lineman was in contact with the truck, which was in contact with a live wire. Deputy Coleman extinguished the flames and, risking his safety to protect the lineman, grabbed the man by his pants leg and pulled him away from the electrified truck. The lineman was suffering from life-threatening injuries. Deputy Coleman called for medical assistance, warning that the truck posed a grave danger. EMS arrived and rendered aid to the worker. Deputy Coleman observed the truck was again igniting and extinguished the flames as the medical team cared for the lineman just a few feet away from the truck. The victim was transported by helicopter to a hospital and survived his injuries. Deputy Coleman had alertly responded to a dynamic scene and his quick thinking helped save the lineman’s life.
Lance D. DeClue, Missouri State Highway Patrol
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On the morning of July 28, 2023, Master Sergeant DeClue heard radio traffic indicating a Crawford County Sheriff’s deputy was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle on Route B and the suspect had fired several rounds from a handgun out his window toward the deputy. The deputy said the driver was headed toward Westover Road. Master Sergeant DeClue drove to Westover Road to deploy a tire deflation device but the pursuit had already passed the location. DeClue’s vehicle was not pursuit rated, so he followed in the direction of the pursuit. The gunman was now reported to be passing in no passing zones and had almost struck an oncoming vehicle head-on. DeClue monitored traffic to figure out the next location where he could attempt a tire deflation and settled on Highway 49, but the gunman began crashing through gates into the Doe Run Mine property. DeClue then observed the vehicle turning around where one of the Doe Run Mine roads came to a dead end. He was now moving head-on toward DeClue’s patrol vehicle on a one lane road. DeClue determined he needed to end the pursuit immediately because the subject had already fired at a deputy and had attempted to ram civilian vehicles. DeClue cut the wheel of his patrol vehicle and rammed the suspect vehicle, disabling it. DeClue then exited his vehicle, drew his handgun and ordered the subject to show his hands. The subject complied and was taken into custody. Throughout a dangerous ordeal in which the subject endangered the lives of many people, including DeClue, the master sergeant remained calm, methodical and determined to take the safest course of action, ultimately capturing the subject by risking his own safety.
Larry Bunt Jr. and Clint Koons, O’Fallon Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On the afternoon of December 3, 2023, a gunman fired at least three shots at the clocktower in front of O’Fallon City Hall. Officer Koons saw a vehicle matching the broadcasted vehicle description driving north on Main Street and quickly caught up with the suspect. He initiated a traffic stop and the suspect pulled over. Officer Koons exited his vehicle, took up a cover position and issued commands to the suspect. The suspect ignored the orders and reached inside his vehicle. He then drove off. As he was fleeing, Officer Bunt was arriving on scene and took the primary unit position in an authorized pursuit; Officer Koons followed as the secondary unit. The gunman drove west on Highway P and entered a subdivision, coming to a stop in a cul-de-sac. He immediately exited the vehicle with his shotgun raised in the direction of both officers. The officers, fearing for their lives and the safety of the public, exchanged fire with the gunman, who then took cover at the front of his vehicle. Officers Koons and Bunt repositioned themselves for better cover. The gunman then stood up and pointed his shotgun at the officers, attempting to fire as he ran into an open field. The officers fired again, striking the gunman, who went down but continued to move with the shotgun by his side. Officers Koons and Bunt took cover and waited for additional officers to arrive. Once sufficient officers were on scene, Officer Koons organized a team to take the gunman into custody. When officers reached the gunman, he was deceased. Officers Koons and Bunt, despite being under fire and extreme stress, put their own lives at risk in order to protect the public and contain a violent threat to the community.
Drew Goodale, Cape Girardeau Fire Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On the evening of December 13, 2023, Firefighter/Paramedic Goodale was having dinner in a restaurant in New Hamburg, Missouri, when a civilian came in and reported a house was on fire down the street. Goodale and the restaurant owner drove the short distance to the house. Flames were showing from a first-floor window and about 25% of the house was involved in fire. Goodale opened the front door to check if anyone was inside. He heard a person moaning in pain. Entering without any protective gear, he found the severely burned owner of the house about 20 feet from the door. Firefighter/Paramedic Goodale pulled the man out of the burning structure and onto the porch. Goodale and the restaurant owner then moved the victim to the yard. The two provided medical aid until fire and EMS personnel arrived. Goodale assisted in an ambulance as the victim was moved to an air medical landing zone for an air evacuation. The victim was intubated on the scene and flown to a hospital with severe burns. The victim spent about a week recovering in the hospital. Because of Firefighter/Paramedic Goodale’s swift and brave actions while off duty outside his own jurisdiction, the victim was rescued from his burning home minutes earlier than the local fire service’s arrival. Firefighter Goodale is now a member of the St. Charles Fire Department.
Justin McElroy, St. Joseph Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Medal of Valor
On the night of December 26, 2023, Officer McElroy recognized a U-Haul box truck as the suspect vehicle in a commercial theft earlier in the day. He notified dispatch and attempted to make a traffic stop of the truck. Officer McElroy pursued the vehicle when the driver would not stop. The pursuit lasted for about three miles, during which another St. Joseph police officer deployed a tire deflation device, damaging several tires. A woman then called 911 and said she was a passenger in the truck. The truck then left the roadway in an industrial area, where it became stuck on railroad tracks. Officer McElroy exited his vehicle and ran to the truck, taking cover at the rear. As he peered around the back of the truck, he observed the driver partially open the door and aim a gun in Officer McElroy’s direction. Officer McElroy broke from his cover position and fired at the gunman, striking the door and the frame of the truck. The gunman fell from the vehicle with his gun and indicated he had been shot. Backup officers had arrived and now secured the passenger, who was unharmed. Officer McElroy, quickly moved to the gunman and attempted to render aid. The gunman was found not to have been shot and he was taken into custody. During a highly stressful pursuit and confrontation with an armed convicted felon, Officer McElroy remained calm, took account of a passenger in the stolen vehicle, and kept fellow officers informed at all times. His courageous efforts ended a dangerous situation for himself, his fellow officers and the community.
Adam R. Shipley, Missouri State Highway Patrol
2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Medal of Valor
At about 5 p.m. on January 25, 2022, Trooper Shipley heard radio traffic about an aggravated rape in progress at the Amidon Conservation Area in Madison County and immediately responded to the area. As he approached on County Road 253, he observed a 58-year-old man forcing a woman and young child toward a vehicle at knifepoint. The woman, who had just been sexually assaulted by the man, ran toward Shipley with her four-year-old in her arms. Trooper Shipley exited his vehicle and pursued the attacker into the woods. He caught the man after about 60 yards. As Shipley attempted to handcuff him, the man reached for a knife in his waistband. The two fell to the ground as they fought. The man managed to get Trooper Shipley’s pepper spray and Taser, deploying both toward the trooper. The Taser probes struck Trooper Shipley but it was not effective. Although impaired by the pepper spray, he could see the man reaching again for the knife in his waistband. Trooper Shipley drew his duty pistol and discharged one round, striking the man in the chest. He attempted to administer first aid but the attacker died at the scene. The attacker had recently completed a prison sentence for sexual assault and been released. By responding quickly and acting decisively, Trooper Shipley prevented additional harm to an innocent mother and her child and ended the threat of further violence to the community.
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.