Prosecuting attorney off to war zone

BENTON, Mo. -- Scott County's prosecuting attorney will leave for Afghanistan next month to serve in Operation Enduring Freedom.

Paul R. Boyd, who has been the county's prosecutor since 2003 and before that as an assistant prosecutor for the county since 1996, begins active duty in the U.S. Army on March 25.

Boyd has served in the Missouri National Guard since November 2000, holding the rank of major, and currently serves as the deputy staff judge advocate for the 35th Infantry Division based in Lexington, Mo., and in Leavenworth, Kan.

His active duty will be with the Guard's 1-135th Aviation Battalion based out of the Whiteman Air Force Base located just south of Knob Noster, Mo., and about 70 miles southeast of Kansas City, Mo.

The 1-135th is an AH-64 Apache attack helicopter battalion. Its mission is to conduct attack, reconnaissance and security operations that complement other maneuvers and ground forces.

The deployment will begin with 118 days of training at Fort Hood, Texas, followed by approximately nine months in Afghanistan.

Boyd will serve as the judge advocate general for the battalion, which is "the legal adviser to the commander," he said. "My main focus will be advising the commander and his staff on the application of the rules of engagement as it applies to the mission."

Other duties may include "a wide breadth of issues that a judge advocate takes care of," Boyd said.

Blake Pearson, who has served as an assistant prosecutor in Boyd's office since Feb. 1, will be appointed by Circuit Judge David Dolan as prosecutor during Boyd's absence.

"As a Missouri Guardsman, I have had to have a contingency plan in place in case I was called to active service at home or abroad," Boyd said. "I have an experienced staff and assistant prosecutors who are committed to the service of the citizens of Scott County."

Boyd noted Pearson has 16 years of experience practicing law, including handling state and federal criminal cases and managing an office with multiple employees.

"Certainly my first concern is Paul and his safety," Pearson said. "I just hope to continue Paul's standard of care in looking out for the safety of the citizens of Scott County. I'll do the absolute best I can do and we'll just wait for him to return home safely."

Boyd said he's had "an outpouring of support" from Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, local prosecutors and others. The Missouri Office of Prosecution Services has agreed to help with advice and offer trial assistance on complex cases, Boyd said. "I am proud to serve as Scott County prosecutor and as a member of the Missouri National Guard. I am grateful for the support of my family, friends, law enforcement professionals and the citizens in Scott County."

While he was advised by his commanding officer that the deployment will last approximately a year, Boyd won't have a specific date for the end of the deployment "until I have the actual orders in my hand."

Boyd's four-year term as prosecutor runs through the end of 2014.

"My intent is to return, finish up my term and run for another term as the county's prosecutor," he said.

Pertinent address:

Benton, MO

Whiteman Air Force Base, MO