DPS Team Members of the Month
November Sworn Team Member of the Month
Chad Hildebrand
Captain
Division of Fire Safety
November Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month
Katherine Erisman
Administrative Assistant
Missouri Veterans Commission
The Division of Fire Safety’s Captain Chad Hildebrand, an Investigation Supervisor, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for November because of his tireless investigative work over more than four years, which led to an arrest and an arson charge in a fire that destroyed a Johnson County church.
In July, 2020, Chad responded to a fire at Harmony Baptist Church near Leeton, Mo. He quickly determined the fire had been set. Surveillance video showed a white vehicle and a single male suspect. Over several months, Chad put in long hours as he followed countless leads and conducted many interviews, resulting in the identification of a suspect that Chad had previously arrested in other arson cases in the area. However, he was unable to file charges because of lack of cooperation from a witness. Chad never let the case go, and on July 4, 2024, a video appeal and news release called attention to the case and the fact the statute of limitation would expire in one year. Chad reinterviewed the key witness, who this time agreed to cooperate and supplied essential evidence.
Chad’s hard work, tenacity and professionalism led to the arrest and charges being filed against a convicted arsonist, who remained a threat to the community. The charge is a mere accusation and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charge must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
Katherine Erisman, an Administrative Assistant at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for November 2024 for her professionalism, organizational skills and willingness to take on additional responsibilities, which she performs with élan.
Katherine joined the home in October 2019 as a part-time receptionist and within nine months had been promoted four times. Her organizational proficiency, attitude and ability to adapt quickly powered her advancement. During the Covid pandemic she began using multiple channels to keep families informed and assumed responsibilities supporting home leadership because of her ability to adapt to changing conditions and accurately decipher complicated information.
Recently, Katherine has taken on purchasing responsibilities. She is a model team member, willing to do anything to support fellow staff members with the objective of providing the best care possible for the home’s veterans and their families.
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.