Medal Recipient Search
James Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ, Kansas City Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Red, White and Blue Heart Award
On Feb. 15, 2023, Officer Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ were in their patrol vehicle eastbound on East Truman Road with a green light when a driver ran through a red light at Benton Boulevard and crashed his vehicle into their vehicle. The motorist, who was driving at approximately 89 miles per hour, also killed a pedestrian. Officer Muhlbauer devoted his life to protecting the residents of Kansas City and for 20 years he excelled in his chosen profession, including in 2014, when he arrested a notorious murderer who had just killed five people. For the last year of their lives, Muhlbauer and K-9 Champ worked as inseparable partners and guardians of the community.
Mason Griffith, Herman Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Red, White and Blue Heart Award
At about 9:30 p.m. on March 12, 2023, Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrup responded to a disturbance call at the Casey’s convenience store on Highway 19 in Hermann. When the officers arrived, both were shot by a gunman, who was wanted for multiple outstanding felony arrest warrants. The officers returned fire, but the gunman fled. He was captured the following day after barricading himself in a house. Detective Sergeant Griffith was shot in the chest and died from his injuries at Hermann Area District Hospital. Griffith, 34, also served as the Chief of the Rosebud Police Department and was known for being accessible to residents at all hours and had a history of deescalating many situations in which individuals were experiencing behavioral health crises.
Adam Sullentrup, Herman Police Department
2023 Class
Awarded on: 09/12/2024
Red, White and Blue Heart Award
At about 9:30 p.m. on March 12, 2023, Detective Sergeant Mason Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrup responded to a disturbance call at the Casey’s convenience store on Highway 19 in Hermann. When the officers arrived, both were shot by a gunman, who was wanted for multiple outstanding felony arrest warrants. The officers returned fire, but the gunman fled. He was captured the following day after barricading himself in a house. Officer Sullentrup was shot in the head and suffered a traumatic head injury. Because of the extent of his injury, he spent several months in a rehabilitation hospital in Colorado before returning home in November 2023. Officer Sullentrup undergoes continuing physical therapy and will remain on disability for the remainder of his life because of the extent of his injuries.
Rick D. Hirshey, 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.
Benjamin J. Polson, St. Louis Fire Department
2022 Class
Awarded on: 09/28/2023
Red, White and Blue Heart Award
On the morning of January 13, 2022, St. Louis Fire Department Truck 13 was dispatched to a building fire in the Hamilton Heights neighborhood in northwest St. Louis. A vacant two-story brick structure was heavily involved in fire. Firefighter Polson stretched a 1¾ inch attack line into the burning structure to assist in conducting a rapid primary search. Firefighter Polson was on the second floor when the roof collapsed without warning, trapping him. An emergency radio call went out and several fellow firefighters made entry in an attempt to rescue Firefighter Polson but could not reach him because of the rapid fire progression and deteriorating building conditions. Firefighter Polson had earned a law degree and an MBA but felt the call to public service, following his father’s footsteps into the St. Louis Fire Department. He had been with the department for less than three years, but in his brief tenure with the department he had proven to be a leader and committed teammate, devoted to serving the St. Louis community.
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.
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.
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.
Jake Reed, 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.
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.