TROOPER LOOKS FOR HANDS ON TRAFFIC STOPS

When Missouri Highway Patrol Cpl. Larry Clark approaches an automobile during a traffic stop, he wants to see hands.

Clark, with Troop-E, demands everyone in a vehicle have their hands in plain view.

"It's best for the driver if the hands are on the steering wheel," he said, "and everyone should stay in the car unless otherwise directed by the officer."

Clark's procedure is nothing new. In fact, troopers have been approaching vehicles in this matter for some time.

But Clark, a seven-year veteran, said troopers are more conscious of their actions in the wake of shooting incidents involving other patrolman.

And, especially during routine traffic stops.

"There's really no such thing as the 'routine' traffic stop," he said. "Each situation is different. The danger is still there."

Clark is all to familiar with the danger.

A classmate of his at the patrol's academy, Cpl. Robert Hayes, was shot three times during a traffic stop near Boonville July 29.

Three suspects were arrested in connection with the shooting including Horatio "Ray" Lee, 23, of Columbia.

Lee has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, assault of a law officer and carrying a concealed weapon.

Clark's co-worker, Trooper Perry Hazelwood shot 19-year-old Khamata Kornkhamsee Sept. 2 after he attempted to fire a semiautomatic pistol at the officer.

Kornkhamsee faces extradition to Illinois in connection with another shooting to stand trial for assault with a firearm.

Cape Girardeau County may file charges at a later date.

The latest shooting involving a patrolman was Friday near Vienna in Maries County.

The incident left the Maries County sheriff and one suspect dead.

Trooper Curtis Martin was called to a minor traffic accident Friday afternoon and wanted to search a vehicle involved in the accident.

With the assistance of Sheriff Roy Bassett, Martin got permission to search the vehicle and placed the driver in the front seat of the sheriff's car.

After Martin began his search, the driver of the vehicle unexpectedly leaped from the sheriff's car and opened fire, killing Bassett and wounding Martin.

Martin fatally shot the driver and wounded the lone passenger of the vehicle who lunged at the trooper. Martin received minor hand injuries.

"The danger that goes along with this job has always been there," Clark said, "but with everything that's happened, it's been brought to the forefront."

Clark said his wife of six years was more cognizant of the danger after the shooting in Jackson.

He said his wife knows most of his co-workers personally, including the trooper involved in the Sept. 2 shooting.

"We didn't get married until after I took this job," he said. "So she knew the dangers and what she was getting into."

Clark said although his wife may worry about his well-being, he has been a trooper long enough that she doesn't lose any sleep when he is late getting home in the evening.

"I find myself asking what I would do to prepare myself if something should go wrong with a stop," he said. "You always think of that, but I'm more conscious of it lately."