Two Southeast Missouri troopers honored with Medal of Valor

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Two area Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers were among those honored Thursday with the state's highest public safety award.

Gov. Jay Nixon presented the Missouri Medal of Valor to seven public safety officers -- four law enforcement officers and three firefighters -- from across the state for extraordinary acts of bravery and heroism that saved the lives of Missourians during 2008.

"These officers, who come from across the state, represent the very best of Missouri's public safety community," Nixon said. "Each act of bravery was different, but in every instance, these officers acted selflessly without concern for their own safety and helped save the lives of their fellow Missourians.

Dougherty

"I am proud to stand with them and on behalf of all Missourians, I thank them for their outstanding service and the fine examples they set of what public service can be."

Trooper Shawn Dougherty, assigned to Carter and Reynolds counties, was honored for his actions of March 18, 2008, when he responded to a vehicle caught in a flash flood in Carter County.

After first rescuing one person caught near a vehicle in swift water conditions, Dougherty and others turned their attention to a second victim. That victim, who could not swim, was thrown a rope and, without warning, jumped into the swift water, dropping below the surface as he was swept away.

Risking his own life, Dougherty jumped into the water. He swam toward the victim and repeatedly went under water to find the victim. He then held the victim's head above water until the victim could be safely pulled to the shore.

Trooper Andrew Ward rescued a motorist trapped inside a burning car Jan. 7, 2008, on Route W in Butler County while assigned to Butler and Ripley counties.

Ward, who now works in Springfield, Mo., tried to remove the driver through the front passenger door, but the woman's foot was wedged under the brake pedal. The trooper then dived through the driver door window and dislodged her foot.

The vehicle filled with smoke as the fire intensified, and Ward could not get himself out. After being pulled to safety by another trooper, Ward ran back to the passenger door and, with the help of several civilians, pulled the driver from the burning vehicle to safety.

"I am continually impressed by the dedication of the men and women of Missouri's public safety community," Nixon said. "They and their families sacrifice daily so that we can have better and safer communities across this state.

"All Missourians owe a debt of gratitude to the men and women who selflessly work to protect us."

The Medal of Valor is awarded annually by Missouri's governor after recommendations are submitted by the Medal of Valor Review Board. State statute authorizes up to seven medals each year. Recipients must serve a public agency, with or without compensation, as a firefighter, law enforcement officer or emergency responder.

The nominating form states the Medal of Valor is awarded "to a public safety officer who has exhibited exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action regardless of his or her own personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life."

State and local corrections, court and civil defense officers are eligible.