Medal Recipient Search
Robert "Elmer" Bellefy, Belton Emergency Services
2008 Class
Awarded on: 11/19/2009
Medal of Valor
On March 11, 2008, Specialist/EMT Bellefy saved the lives of a mother and her adolescent daughter while responding to an accident and fire involving five vehicles on Highway 71 in Belton. The mother and daughter were trapped inside a burning vehicle. Specialist Bellefy first rescued the mother. To rescue the child, he had to crawl inside the burning vehicle, shielding the girl from the flames and heat, as he worked against time to free her leg that was pinned by twisted metal and the car seats.
Daniel Berry and Todd Gray, Fulton Fire Department
2008 Class
Awarded on: 11/19/2009
Medal of Valor
On Feb. 29, 2008, Fulton firefighters Daniel Berry Todd Gray rescued a woman from a blazing house fire in Fulton. While inside the burning residence, attempting to find the victim, the blaze grew dramatically, filling the structure with thick black smoke. The fire then "flashed over," causing flames to cut off the firefighters' escape route. Despite this, the victim was located through a hand search, and the two firefighters were able to get her out through a bedroom window and then safely escape themselves.
Shawn Dougherty, Troop G, Missouri State Highway Patrol
2008 Class
Awarded on: 11/19/2009
Medal of Valor
On March 18, 2008, Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Shawn Dougherty responded to a vehicle caught in a flash flood in Carter County. After first rescuing one person caught near a vehicle in swift water conditions, Trooper Dougherty and others turned their attention to a second victim. That victim, who could not swim, was thrown a rope and, without warning, jumped into the swift water, dropping below the surface as he was swept away. Risking his own life, Trooper Dougherty jumped into the swift water. He swam toward the victim and repeatedly went under water to find the victim, then holding the victim's head above water until the victim could be safely pulled to the shore.
Donald Hayden, Pulaski County Sheriff's Office
2008 Class
Awarded on: 11/19/2009
Medal of Valor
On June 10, 2008, Deputy Hayden ended a shooting rampage by a heavily armed suspect at a trailer court in Dixon by shooting the suspect. Deputy Hayden responded to a domestic violence assault inside a trailer, shots fired at a neighbor, and the bludgeoning of another neighbor with a pistol. The suspect had fled but was then spotted returning to the trailer court. To protect residents, Deputy Hayden drove toward the suspect and used his patrol car to block the suspect's vehicle. The suspect exited his vehicle and started firing. More than twenty shots were fired by Deputy Hayden and the suspect in a close-range gun battle. Deputy Hayden was shot four times as he ended the threat to the trailer court.
Dale Jinkens, Troop A, Missouri State Highway Patrol
2008 Class
Awarded on: 11/19/2009
Medal of Valor
On Nov. 22, 2008, Sgt. Jinkens rescued a motorist who was trapped inside a burning vehicle on Interstate 70 in Independence. Sgt. Jinkens could not reach the victim because her vehicle was up against the concrete highway divider. Sgt. Jinkens organized motorists who had stopped and working together, they moved the vehicle far enough that he could squeeze between the divider and the car - still engulfed in flames - and rescue the driver, who was expected to make a full recovery.
Andrew Ward, Troop D, Missouri State Highway Patrol
2008 Class
Awarded on: 11/19/2009
Medal of Valor
On Jan. 7, 2008, Trooper Ward rescued a motorist who was trapped inside a burning car on Route W in Butler County. Trooper Ward tried to remove the driver through the front passenger door, but the woman's foot was wedged under the brake pedal. Trooper Ward then dived through the driver door window and dislodged her foot. The vehicle filled with smoke as the fire intensified and Trooper Ward could not get himself out. After being pulled to safety by another trooper, Trooper Ward - without hesitation - ran back to the passenger door and, with the help of several civilians, pulled the driver from the burning vehicle to safety.
Frederick Guthrie, Missouri State Water Patrol
2007 Class
Awarded on: 08/28/2008
Medal of Valor
On June 22, 2007, Officer Guthrie was investigating reports of capsized or swamped boats during his patrol on Smithville Lake during a severe thunderstorm. The lake had waves as high as six feet, creating conditions that were much too dangerous for Officer Guthrie’s standard patrol boat, forcing him to return to the marina. Before Officer Guthrie was able to reach the marina, he learned that a woman without a life jacket had been thrown from her boat and was clinging to a buoy in the lake. Risking his own personal safety, Officer Guthrie returned to the dangerous conditions on the lake and was able to rescue the woman from the water.
Daniel Romig, Platte County Sheriff’s Department
2007 Class
Awarded on: 08/28/2008
Medal of Valor
On Aug. 15, 2007, Deputy Romig was traveling along I-435 Highway in Kansas on his day off when he witnessed a wreck. A 17-year-old driver had struck a semi-truck, causing the semi to go over the guardrail of the bridge and strike the embankment below. The truck overturned and the driver was thrown from the vehicle. The semi caught fire, and Deputy Romig immediately stopped his vehicle to assist the semi-driver who was not moving. While Deputy Romig was able to pull the driver to safety, the injuries the driver sustained in the accident were too severe and he later died at a nearby hospital. In the process of pulling the driver to safety, Deputy Romig received first and second degree burns on his arms and had to be taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Carl Beier, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department
2007 Class
Awarded on: 08/28/2008
Medal of Valor
On Sept. 8, 2007, Deputy Beier responded to a violent disturbance report at a rural residence in Jefferson County. As he approached the house, an individual came outside and charged toward Deputy Beier holding what appeared to be an assault rifle. Deputy Beier was able to stay calm and keep the 9-1-1 dispatch center and other responding deputies informed about the situation. Deputy Beier ordered the responding deputies to not pull into the driveway, fearing that the man would ambush them. Deputy Beier was able to stand his ground while under continuous fire, incapacitate and apprehend the suspect, saving multiple lives.
Grant Hendrix, Missouri State Highway Patrol
2007 Class
Awarded on: 08/28/2008
Medal of Valor
On March 16, 2007, the Patrol was notified that Neosho Police officers Sgt. Dan Cook and Patrolman Mike Sharp were shot during a routine traffic stop. Sgt. Cook was shot in the arm while making the stop, while Patrolman Sharp was shot in the face while in pursuit. Trooper Hendrix was dispatched to the last known location of the suspect where he met a vehicle matching the description of the suspects. The vehicle attempted to escape Trooper Hendrix, and a short distance later Trooper Hendrix found the suspect’s vehicle stopped in the road. The suspect ambushed Trooper Hendrix and opened fire, striking Hendrix’s vehicle at least five times. The suspect attempted to flee in his vehicle, and stopped in the roadway again shortly after. Trooper Hendrix stopped about 50 yards away from the suspect’s vehicle, and the suspect opened fire a second time. This time, Trooper Hendrix returned fire while seated in his patrol car. Trooper Hendrix then abandoned his car, moving to the rear of his vehicle for cover. The suspect fled again, and Trooper Hendrix continued the pursuit as the suspect led him into a wooded area. Two deputies with the McDonald County Sheriff’s Department spotted the suspect’s SUV on a road, and the suspect rammed the deputies’ vehicle and then opened fire. The deputies returned fire and the suspect fled on foot. Later, a tip led law enforcement officers to a residence, and officers spotted the suspect running across a field near the location. The suspect was finally apprehended and arrested, ending a 13-hour manhunt.