DPS Team Members of the Month
December Sworn Team Member of the Month
Daniel Norton
Trooper
Missouri State Highway Patrol
December Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month
Justen Meyer
Senior Auto/Marine Technician
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Daniel Norton, a Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper in Troop C, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for December 2024 for his quick thinking and immediate action to rescue a family as their house in Jefferson County was burning.
On April 9, 2024, while patrolling U.S. Highway 61/67 in Jefferson County, Daniel noticed smoke rising from a neighborhood near Windsor Elementary School and drove over to investigate. Upon arrival, he observed a large fire next to a single-family residence, which was already causing the siding to melt. Daniel radioed for firefighters to respond and then banged loudly on the door of the home until he woke the three family members inside. He then assisted them out of the home to safety.
Daniel’s attention to his surroundings and prompt action not only allowed all three family members to escape the fire without injury, it minimized damage to the exterior of their home.
Daniel’s actions demonstrate the Patrol’s mission is not limited to Missouri’s highways but includes assisting people wherever the Patrol can help.
Justen Meyer, a Senior Auto/Marine Technician with the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Troop C, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for December 2024 for using his automotive expertise to locate key evidence for investigators. His assistance greatly advanced a three-year-old missing person case, which led to an arrest for homicide.
In April of 2024, the Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control was asked to assist with a 2021 missing person investigation in Jefferson County. It was determined the victim was shot while riding in a Toyota Camry, which was seized as evidence and processed at Troop C headquarters. Justen volunteered his expertise to investigators to help recover evidence. He removed the cover of the passenger seat, exposing the cushions, where key evidence was found. He then spent over two and a half hours methodically removing the vehicle’s entire dashboard, which exposed the passenger airbag, allowing an intact bullet to be recovered. If Justen had not volunteered to assist, investigators would have spent much more time attempting to locate the key evidence. Justen is another fine example of Patrol team members going above and beyond to serve Missourians.
Congratulations to the Team Members of the Month! You have set an outstanding example for your co-workers throughout the Department of Public Safety.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety. Many Missions. One Team.