2023 Team Member of the Month Archives

Seven Missouri State Highway Patrol employees are the December 2023 DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for their roles in a complex, methodical murder investigation led by investigators from the Sikeston Department of Public Safety and the SEMO Major Case Squad, which resulted in a first-degree murder charge in a brutal killing in September 2023. The Patrol team members are Sergeant Scott Stoelting, Corporals Nogi McDaniel, Matthew Foster and J.T. Wilson, Trooper Russell Gibson, and Investigative Analysts Hunter Ellis and Casey Schnieders.

The Patrol team members were part of the multi-agency investigation launched when a Sikeston woman was found beaten to death in her home and her safe broken into. It took four days to process the crime scene. Through a combination of solid police work and modern investigative techniques, including Highway Patrol Crime Lab DNA analysis, the suspect was located and arrested.

The murder charge that was filed by the Scott County prosecutor in this heinous case was a direct result of the critical thinking, utilization or technology and teamwork of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety, SEMO Major Case Squad investigators, Scott, Nogi, Matthew, J.T., Russell, Hunter, Casey and other members of the Highway Patrol. They worked efficiently and collaborated seamlessly. The charges that resulted are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Jen Henderson, Veterans Service Supervisor for the Missouri Veterans Commission’s southwest region, is the December 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month.

Jen was selected for her leadership skills and tireless efforts on behalf of Missouri veterans. She is known as the “Swiss Army knife” of the Veterans Service Program because of her ability to effectively manage her team and help veterans obtain the benefits they deserve. Jen manages a seven-person team that supports over 58,000 veterans in the southwest region and also personally assists veterans in four counties as the only Veterans Service Officer in the Branson area.

During Memorial Day weekend this year, Jen spent part of the holiday weekend with eight Vietnam War veterans and their wives, who were not familiar with the VA programs available to veterans. Most of the veterans were combat wounded and Agent Orange victims. The youngest was 76. As one of them wrote, “We are so thankful Jennifer came to meet with us at our hotel conference room and spent over two hours explaining benefits, answering questions and providing guidance.”

Trooper Jacob S. Schwartz, of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, is the November 2023 DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for his rescue of a man trapped in a burning car following a vehicle pursuit.

Late on the night of Aug. 22, 2023, Jacob attempted to stop a motorist for speeding and weaving in and out of traffic in Branson. The motorist fled, leading to a pursuit. The pursuit ended when the motorist’s vehicle rolled off the road, struck a boulder, went airborne and caught fire in a stand of trees. The driver did not respond to Jacob’s command to exit the vehicle. With the fire growing rapidly, Jacob retrieved the fire extinguisher from his vehicle and emptied it fighting the fire. Jacob instructed arriving Branson Police officers to use their fire extinguishers to help fight the fire. The driver became responsive and Jacob was now able to approach the vehicle and assist him out of the vehicle. The driver, who was charged with driving while intoxicated, was given medical assistance and taken into custody.

Jacob had carried out a safe pursuit and then quickly transitioned to rescuer in order to protect the life of a suspect trapped in a burning car. His performance was exemplary.

Starlith McAdams, a MULES Trainer IV in Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop A, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for November for her professionalism, support for local law enforcement agencies and exceptional work this September.

MULES, the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System, is a computerized information system that provides essential services like checks of wanted persons, vehicles and warrants for law enforcement statewide. When network issues interrupted the ability of some law enforcement agencies to access MULES in September, Starlith helped implement a plan that set up computers at Troop A so the Patrol could provide critical information to affected agencies. Despite being on vacation, she reported to work for three days, set up the computers and stayed in contact with law enforcement agencies to smooth out the makeshift arrangement and ensure that critical information was provided without interruption.

Starlith was also a key contributor to planning for the Patrol’s annual Criminal Justice Information Services Conference in September and led the three-day conference as master of ceremonies. The conference educated about 300 attendees on law enforcement networks, auditing, cybersecurity and policies critical to officer safety.

Starlith, a former dispatcher, has a tremendous understanding of the needs of law enforcement officers working in the field, exemplifies the Patrol’s core values, particularly resourcefulness, and is a model team member.

Sergeant Adam R. Johnson and Corporal Johnathan R. Roberts, of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G, are the October 2023 DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for the rescue of two campers who had been swept away by floodwater in May 2023.

At about 1 a.m. on May 14, the North Fork River had rapidly expanded to four times its normal size because of flash flooding in Douglas County. Adam and Johnathan were dispatched to the Hales Crossing area, where several people had already been rescued by other responders.

They launched an inflatable boat and first found and rescued a woman hanging onto a submerged tree, with Johnathan maneuvering the boat and Adam pulling her out of the swiftly moving water and into the boat. As they ferried her to shore they heard a man screaming for help. Using their spotlights, they located the man on top of a log in the middle of the river. They told him to hang on and took the first victim, who was suffering from hypothermia, to other responders on shore.

They then attempted to rescue the man from the west but were stymied by trees and large debris flows. They then attempted an approach from the east, which had less debris but many standing trees and more rapidly moving swift water, requiring them to pull the small boat between the trees at times. They reached the victim, put him in a life vest and pulled him into the boat. He was suffering from hypothermia, with weakness in his limbs and difficulty speaking. Adam and Johnathan got him safely to shore. Both victims were transported to a hospital for treatment.

*Named State Team Members of the Month for November 2023

Stacy Wilson, Cemetery Director at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Fort Leonard Wood, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for October for her professionalism, organizational skills and dedication, which continue to strengthen MVC’s entire Veterans Cemetery program.

The Fort Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery recently received a 96% score in a National Cemetery Administration compliance review, which required great attention to detail by Stacy for several months leading up to the review visit. This very high score is a tremendous credit to Stacy’s work and the work of her entire team. Five of her team members have been recognized with Professional Leadership Development Awards. Stacy’s mentoring of these team members was instrumental in their obtaining the honors.

Stacy also brought her leadership team to MVC’s Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery for two days to assist that team review operational details and prepare for a National Cemetery Administration compliance review. Stacy also routinely travels great distances to participate in interviews to select new cemetery directors, sharing her invaluable insights.

Lane C. Coleman, a Trooper in Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop C, is the September 2023 DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for his fine investigative work and relentless effort to identify a suspect after an innocent motorist was shot while driving in St. Charles County.

On May 26, 2023, a driver was shot in the hand on Missouri Route 364 by a passing motorist. The victim, whose five-year-old and two-month-old children were in her vehicle, was able to provide Lane with a description of the suspect and the suspect vehicle. With few leads, Lane decided to examine social media for potential discussions of the case, turning to a Facebook page that frequently posts about incidents in St. Charles County. By reviewing the comments section of a post about the shooting, Lane found a possible witness who had seen a similar vehicle that had been stopped by a local police department shortly before the shooting. Working with the police department, he identified a possible suspect, whom the victim later identified as the person who had shot her.

While initially stymied by a lack of clues, Lane’s determination to solve a crime that endangered a mother and her children led him to expand his investigation to social media and build a case that resulted in seven felony charges against the suspected assailant.

Faith Thornton, a Stores/Warehouse Assistant at the Missouri Veterans Commission’s Veterans Home in Mexico, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for September 2023. Faith has been selected for her outstanding organizational abilities, reporting accuracy in everything related to inventory management and dedication to serving veterans.

Faith is continuously searching for and finding ways for MVC to operate more cost effectively by comparing products and prices for items. Because of her great respect for the sacrifices made by our veterans and personal affinity for the home’s residents, Faith helps create a special atmosphere by assisting in the dining room, though this is not part of her job duties. Each morning, she tends to veterans by helping seat them, serving them coffee and engaging them in conversation.

Faith’s hard work, commitment to our nation's heroes and willingness to do whatever it takes to support her fellow MVC team members sets an outstanding example for everyone working at the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Corporal Justin E. Peabody, a criminal investigator with the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, is the August 2023 DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for his careful and unrelenting work to track down answers in missing person cases. His commitment was demonstrated in three recent cases.

First, was the case of a 65-year-old man who had been reported missing. Through metadata on a photograph and an overseas Instagram account, Justin traced the man to South America. He made contact with the man, who said he had voluntarily moved to South America and did not plan to return.

In the second case, Justin used his experience developing informants to gain the trust of a former boyfriend of a missing 16-year-old girl. The former boyfriend contacted Justin soon after the girl contacted him. Once he was in contact with the girl, who was in Arkansas, Justin convinced her to return to Missouri, and she was placed in the custody of a family member.

Finally, Justin’s investigative skills not only allowed him to find a missing 17-year-old girl but to also learn of a sexual assault on a 14-year-old that resulted in criminal charges against a 32-year-old man.

Justin’s outstanding investigative skills, ability to develop trust, and determination to solve missing person cases regularly helps bring justice to victims and their families.

*Named State Team Member of the Month for September 2023

Pam Aberle, Supervisor of the Highway Patrol’s Sex Offender Registry Unit, is the August 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for her work planning and organizing the Missouri Sex Offender Registry Conference held March 28-30, 2023. It was the first such conference since 2009.

With continuing changes in laws, technology and software systems, Pam believed it was important to bring together Missouri law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, the Department of Corrections and state and federal probation and parole offices. Pam spent almost six months planning the conference, identifying relevant presentations and speakers from state and federal agencies to best inform attendees on subjects ranging from fingerprint and DNA collection to petitions for removal from the sex offender registry, appeals and victim rights.

The conference attracted 134 attendees who had a tremendous opportunity to learn about important resources and to network. Pam accomplished all this while continuing her daily duties of supervising eight team members in the Patrol’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division, and while participating in the Missouri Leadership Academy.

Sean Lashmet, a Corporal with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, is the July 2023 DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for his heroic and compassionate efforts beyond the call of duty to save the life of a shooting victim.

On Feb. 23, 2023, Sean received a call for service about a suicidal person at the Busiek State Forest and Wildlife Area, south of Highlandville. Upon arrival, Sean attempted to make contact with a 26-year-old woman but she shot herself in the chest as he approached her vehicle. Sean secured the firearm and immediately started medical aid. He was able to speak by cellphone with a trauma doctor at Mercy Hospital Springfield and rendered additional medical assistance.

Concerned about the time it would take for an ambulance to arrive to the remote location, Sean carried the victim to his patrol vehicle and transported here about 26 miles to Mercy Hospital within 16 minutes. The victim survived emergency surgery but later succumbed to her injuries in the ICU.

The attending physician, with whom Sean had spoken from the scene, praised the corporal on the Patrol website, writing, “It is because of the Corporal’s quick actions the patient had a chance of survival.” Sean took decisive, resourceful action in a valiant effort to preserve human life.

Jessica Wilson, Accounting Manager at the Missouri Veterans Commission’s Mt. Vernon Veterans Home, is the July 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for her expertise, thoroughness and support of the six other account managers at MVC homes.

Jessica has served on multiple accounting working groups that have worked to standardize accounting roles and responsibilities across all seven MVC homes, and is considered a leader and mentor by her accounting colleagues. She also serves as the homes’ lead accountant during audits.

In addition, Jessica sets a tremendous example of prioritizing the veterans the Mt. Vernon Home cares for. A handwritten note in her office reads, “Remember why you’re here.” This is Jessica’s motivation. She finds solutions to meet veterans’ dietary needs and procure equipment and supplies to provide the best care. She also pitches in to help other departments in the home, including with the direct care of veterans and on weekends.

Jessica is a tremendous asset whose hard work improves the lives of every veteran at the Mt. Vernon Home.

Sergeant Gregory D. Primm and Trooper Joshua H. Thompson, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, are the June 2023 DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for their actions to rescue three human trafficking victims in Missouri and for bringing about the release of 17 others in Texas.

On Dec. 21, 2022, Greg, who is assigned the Division of Drug and Crime Control, received word through the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department that FBI agents in Texas were requesting assistance locating a suspect in a human trafficking case. The suspect’s vehicle was believed to be in the Kansas City area en route to Minnesota.

Greg coordinated the Patrol’s search for the vehicle, which was located at a gas station off interstate 35 in Clinton County. Joshua established probable cause to stop the vehicle when he observed a traffic violation on I-35 in Daviess County. Joshua, of Troop H, identified the driver of the vehicle, who was arrested for failure to possess a valid driver license.

During questioning at the Daviess-DeKalb Regional Jail, the driver admitted to being involved in a human trafficking conspiracy. During subsequent interviews, it was discovered that the three passengers in the vehicle were being smuggled to Minnesota and that 17 others were being held in Texas, some of whom were locked in closets serving as makeshift jail cells.

Greg and Joshua’s teamwork, coordination with the FBI and the thoroughness of their interviews with the suspect immediately stopped the exploitation of 20 people and prevented additional crimes from occurring. The charges are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Chelsey Call, a Grants Supervisor in the DPS Office of the Director, is the June 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for her extraordinarily thorough and skillful work supervising an increasing number of public safety grants.

The DPS Grants Section administers over 40 grants that send more than $200 million in funding to public safety partners for everything from cybersecurity and terrorism preparedness to assistance to economically distressed zones. Chelsey and the grants team develop and administer these efforts with care and precision.

In 2022, DPS was tasked with administering new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding for law enforcement, the fire service, EMS agencies and county jail maintenance and improvements. Working on a very tight timeline, Chelsey developed and oversaw these initiatives that awarded over $16 million in assistance through more than 450 grants across Missouri.

Chelsey worked quickly and efficiently, developing grant application and compliance workshops and spending many hours working one-on-one with applicants to explain grant requirements and restrictions. The result was millions of dollars in additional funding so that Missouri first responder partners could advance public safety in the state.

As is often the case, Chelsey’s hard work and professionalism were instrumental in DPS delivering vital assistance for our public safety partners.

Orrin D. Hawkins, a Trooper with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop E, is the May 2023 DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for his life-saving response after a shooting in Cape Girardeau.

On the night of March 4, 2023, Orrin overheard Cape Girardeau Police radio traffic about an active shooter in a downtown bar and immediately responded. Orrin and a Cape Girardeau officer entered the building, searched for a gunman, and began clearing the bar. As he was doing so, Orrin found two men on the floor with apparent gunshot wounds. One, who complained of being shot in the leg, shouted that the other man had shot him. That man was unresponsive and appeared to have been shot in the abdomen and throat. There was an exit wound in his chest. A gun was near him on the floor. Orrin directed the Cape Girardeau officer to keep bystanders away from the gun as he began treating the unresponsive man.

Orrin applied paper towels to the abdomen wound. The man’s weak pulse stopped. Orrin began CPR but that increased the man’s bleeding. Concerned the man would bleed out, Orrin directed a security guard to bring him plastic wrap from the kitchen and used it to cover the chest wound. Once medical personnel arrived, Orrin assisted them with their evaluation and the application of chest seals to wounds in the man’s thoracic region. The man was flown to a St. Louis hospital and, after undergoing several surgeries over several weeks, was released from intensive care and continues to recover. Orrin’s quick response and outside-the-box thinking helped save this man’s life.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Computer Information Technology Specialists and Michelle Frey, Todd Schneider and Drew Wansing, are the May 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Members of the Month for their outstanding work to develop a recently mandated data-sharing interface.

Michelle, Todd and Drew work on application development for the Highway Patrol. One of their many projects is development and support of the Missouri Uniform Law Enforcement System, known as MULES. Recently, the FBI mandated that all U.S. states begin utilizing a new national information exchange model to interface with the National Crime Information Center. NCIC is the nationwide database that houses criminal justice information utilized by law enforcement and criminal justice agencies.

Michelle, Todd and Drew worked long hours, including weekends and during scheduled vacations, to coordinate and implement the new interface within MULES, completing the project in October 2022. The FBI confirmed Missouri was the first state in the nation to implement NIEM NCIC interface. The team’s hard work allowed Missouri to meet mandated standards and the state’s law enforcement agencies can continue to exchange vitally important criminal justice data.

Timothy A. Barrett, a Corporal with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, is the April 2023 DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for the vigilance he brings to the job each day, which led to one of the largest methamphetamine seizures in Missouri history.

On Nov. 12, 2022, Timothy was working stationary traffic enforcement on Interstate 44 in Greene County when he stopped an eastbound SUV traveling well over the speed limit. During an interview, the driver acted suspiciously and made several inconsistent statements. Suspecting the driver was involved in criminal activity, Timothy requested and received consent to search the vehicle. In the back of the SUV, Timothy found three large cardboard boxes containing 170 pounds of crystal methamphetamine, three handguns, cocaine and marijuana.

Timothy’s concentration on his duties, skillful interview technique and follow up on inconsistent statements led to the confiscation of one of the largest methamphetamine caches in Missouri history and likely prevented numerous additional crimes and the endangerment of innocent people.

Patsy Blomberg, an Accounting Generalist at the Missouri Veterans Commission’s Jefferson City headquarters, is the April 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Employee of the Month for the outstanding quality of her work and her willingness to take on new responsibilities when necessary to support MVC. She’s proven to be an invaluable asset to MVC.

In 2022, while Patsy was already filling extra responsibilities to assist the MVC Cemetery Program Director because of a gap in staffing, the Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Jacksonville Cemetery Representative resigned to take a position outside MVC. Patsy not only continued her support to the Cemetery Program at headquarters, but now stepped in to provide additional support to the Jacksonville cemetery. She assisted in training team members at the cemetery in billing and processing, all while also continuing to accomplish her regular job duties as an Accounting Generalist.

Patsy also took the initiative to provide additional training and support for all MVC Cemetery Directors. Her programmatic knowledge, professionalism and positive attitude make Patsy indispensable to MVC.

Patsy started as an Administrative Office Support Assistant at the Veterans Commission in 2019. Throughout her tenure, she has been the ultimate team player, consistently supporting MVC colleagues.

Brian Baker and Joe Jones are the March 2023 DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for the thoroughness of their work and the determination they exhibited during a complex investigation into two incendiary fires in December 2022.

On Dec. 23, 2022, Senior Commissioned Fire Investigators Brian and Joe were called to investigate a fire inside a large warehouse in Mexico, Mo. Brian responded despite being off duty for the Christmas holiday. The two investigators collected physical evidence and surveillance video during a textbook, professional investigation, and determined the fire had been set. They then proceeded to a second fire in an apartment complex in the area. This investigation involved excavation of the scene at a time when temperatures were below zero. The excavation required breaking through ice build-up and the use of heavy equipment. The body of a woman who had died was located.

Working with the Mexico Department of Public Safety in extreme winter weather for several days, Brian and Joe recovered key evidence and identified burn patterns that helped connect the fires and led to arson and murder charges being filed in the case. The charges are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Ronda Schmitt, a paralegal in the Missouri Veterans Commission headquarters in Jefferson City, is the March 2023 Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month.

Ronda was selected for her leadership and perseverance during a six-month project to review and update the Missouri Veterans Commission’s policy manuals, which were disparate documents, varying between MVC programs, and which often had never been converted to electronic documents.

Ronda’s outstanding organizational abilities were necessary to accomplish this herculean feat, which was done with patience, determination and skill. Ronda also convened the policy review committee to ensure critical policies were updated to meet current industry standards. Her commitment to excellence and concern for staff and Missouri’s veterans resulted in fully aligned, comprehensive documents that will serve MVC well into the future.

Missouri State Highway Patrol Sergeant Greg A. Weddle and Corporal Shawn M. Blackston, of Troop I, are the February 2023 DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for their outstanding initiative and investigative work that resulted in a father and son being reunited 13 years after a child abduction.  

Greg initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 44 in Pulaski County for excessive speed. The driver was unable to produce identification and Greg requested that Shawn come to the scene with a mobile fingerprint scanner to confirm her identity. The driver was identified as one of the state of Texas’ 10 most wanted fugitives with a warrant for parental kidnapping since 2009. Greg and Shawn conducted additional interviews and located her son in St. Peters, Missouri. The Collin County, Texas, Sheriff’s Office was informed of the child’s recovery and notified the father, who responded from Texas to be reunited with his son. Following a routine traffic stop, Greg and Shawn demonstrated outstanding initiative, identifying a wanted criminal suspect, recovering a missing person and reuniting a father and son after 13 years.

Public Information Specialist Meghan E. Basinger, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Public Information and Education Division, is the February 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month. Meghan, who works at Patrol General Headquarters, creates content and manages the Patrol’s multiple social media accounts.

On Aug. 25, 2022, a Patrol account Meghan monitors received emails from a woman experiencing a mental health crisis. The woman said she had been in a traffic crash and felt responsible, that she was extremely depressed, suicidal and that she was having “very bad thoughts.” Meghan utilized information in the emails to identify the woman through her social media accounts.

With the information Meghan obtained, the Patrol was able to determine the traffic crash occurred in the Rolla area. The information was forwarded to Troop I communications staff. Troop I and the Rolla Police Department developed further information, identified the woman, and located her. Meghan’s actions allowed personnel in Troop I to quickly take the appropriate action to help a person in need. Meghan’s attention to detail, dedication, and her strong work ethic led to a positive outcome to what could have been a tragic loss of life. 

*Named State Team Member of the Month for March 2023

Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Eric L. Mueller, of Troop D, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for January 2023 for his thorough investigative work, which led to the arrest of registered sex offender in possession of child pornography.

While conducting routine traffic enforcement in Webster County, Eric stopped a pickup truck for a registration violation. A check of the driver revealed he was a registered sex offender. The vehicle he was driving was not among those listed in the sex offender registry. During questioning about the vehicle and his email and social media accounts, the driver opened photos in his cell phone that appeared to be of underage children.

Eric seized the phone as evidence and arrested the driver for possession of child pornography and failure to list the vehicle in his sex offender registration. The motorist pleaded guilty of one count of receiving child pornography and was sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole. Eric’s attention to detail and probing questioning resulted in the successful prosecution of a registered sex offender, who was continuing to participate in the exploitation of children.

Robin Jaegers, an Administrative Support Professional in the Investigation and Explosive Enforcement Unit at the Missouri Division of Fire Safety, is the January 2023 DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month. Robin, a 30-year DFS veteran, is being recognized for her professionalism and ability to efficiently handle numerous time-sensitive responsibilities across two important DFS programs.

Robin handles all paperwork for blasting licensing and blasting operations across the state; she deals with blasting complaints from the public with tact and understanding. Robin has responsibility for tracking blasting fee payments and recently enabled the unit to collect almost $200,000 in unpaid fees. In addition, Robin is a key part of the fire investigation unit, with responsibility for preparing reports and cases for prosecution, and supporting investigators working in the field across Missouri. She also serves as custodian of records, prepares subpoenas and serves as MULES coordinator.

In her three decades with DFS, Robin has established herself as an integral part of the division. She is driven to serve the public and to support her fellow DFS team members.