*Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson*

Office of Communications

_____________________________________________________________________________________

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

October 7, 2020

*MEDIA ADVISORY***

*Governor Parson to Award Missouri Public Safety Medals to First Responders and Civilians from Across State in Jefferson City Ceremony*

"Awards Will Go to 11 First Responders and 6 Civilians for Heroic, Life-Saving Acts During 2019"

""*(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) * On Tuesday, October 13, Governor Mike Parson will join Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten to present 11 first responders with Missouri Public Safety medals for heroic, life-saving, or extraordinary acts beyond the call of duty to protect the public during 2019. The Governor will also present six civilians awards for exceptional acts to assist first responders and the public during 2019.

There will be several Missouri Public Safety medals and awards presented, including the Medal of Valor, the Governor's Medal, and the Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award.



_*Tuesday, October 13*_

*Governor Parson to award Missouri Public Safety Medals*

*When:* 10:00 a.m.

*Where:* Missouri State Highway Patrol

Law Enforcement Training Academy Gymnasium

1510 East Elm St., Jefferson City, MO 65102

*Media:* Open

*"The ceremony will be live-streamed on the Missouri Department of Public Safetys Facebook Page [ [link removed] ]"



The medal recipients are:


* *Medal of Valor:*
* *Master Sgt. Shawn M. Dougherty and Corporal Jason C. Kuessner, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Troop D, *for the heroic rescue of a wounded Carter County Deputy Sheriff after he was shot by a gunman.


* *Trooper Keaton L. Ebersold, Missouri State Highway Patrol and Chief Shannon Sherwood, Rock Port Police Department, *for quick thinking under duress and life-saving action to rescue a young child, whose life was threatened as she was held hostage.


* *Deputy Thomas M. Buchness, Christian County Sheriffs Office, *for resourcefulness and bravery in rescuing a woman in danger of drowning in swift water conditions.


* *Corporal Christopher S. Robertson, Calverton Park Police Department, *for the dramatic rescue of a child and fellow police officer, who had jumped into the icy water of a public pool to rescue the child from drowning.


* *Governors Medal:*
* *Battalion Chief Duane K. Greer, Captain Christopher R. Erb Jr., Firefighter Patrick A. Ferguson, Firefighter James J. Fuchs, and Firefighter Joshua A. Roth, St. Louis Fire Department, *for the life-saving rescue of four children under age five from a burning residence.


* *Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award:*
* *Jason C. Gamm*, *Rick L. Shannon* *and Wesley W. Teague,* nominated by the *Trenton* *Police Department*, for courageously risking their lives to stop a prisoners assault on a police officer, who had been shot by the prisoner during a police transport.


* *Thomas E. Hutsler II, *nominated by the *Platte County Sheriffs Office*, for exhibiting tremendous bravery is preventing an armed woman, who had already fired her gun, from entering a motor vehicle license office where she had made threats.


* *James W. Whitley II and Robert J. Whitley, *nominated by the *Missouri State Highway Patrol*, for risking their own lives to save the lives of five people who were in a boat that was sinking in the Mississippi River.

###

________________________________________________________________________

*Contact: Kelli R. Jones*

Communications Director

Work: 573-751-0765

Mobile: 573-508-9072

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.governor.mo.gov


Follow us on Twitter [ [link removed] ] Visit us on Twitter [ [link removed] ]
Unsubscribe [ [link removed] ]



________________________________________________________________________

This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Office of Governor Michael L. Parson PO Box 720 Jefferson City, MO 65102 (573) 751-3222 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]