Missouri Governor ? Michael L. Parson

Office of Communications

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE?

August 30, 2021

MEDIA ADVISORY

Governor Parson to Award Missouri Public Safety Medals to First Responders, Civilians from Across State

State?s Highest Public Safety Awards to go to 15 First Responders and 7 Civilians?for Heroic, Life-Saving Acts During 2020

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) ??On Wednesday, September 1 at 10 a.m., Governor Mike Parson will present 15 first responders with Missouri Public Safety medals for heroic, life-saving or extraordinary acts beyond the call of duty to protect the public performed during 2020. Governor Parson will also present seven civilians awards for exceptional acts to assist first responders and the public during 2020. The honorees include a 12-year-old boy, who will be the youngest person to ever receive a Missouri Public Safety Award.

Governor Parson will join Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten for the awards presentation.?

Wednesday, September 1

Governor Parson to present?Missouri Public Safety Medals ? Medal of Valor, Governor?s Medal, and Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award??

??????????When:? ?? 10:00 a.m.

??????????Where:?? ?Missouri State Highway Patrol

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?Law Enforcement Training Academy?Gymnasium?

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?1510 E. Elm St., Jefferson City, MO 65102

? ? ? ? ? Media:? ? ?Open

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?*The event will be livestreamed on the Missouri Department of Public?Safety's Facebook page.

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The medal recipients are as follows:

  • Medal of Valor:
    • Sergeant Jason M. Weggeman and Deputy Sheriff Ronald R. Burgess, Franklin County Sheriff?s Office, for ending the threat posed by gunman.
    • Sergeant Michael J. Ottolini and Detective Lee Alex Clawson, Jefferson City Police Department, for ending the threat posed by a gunman.
    • Sergeant Heather M. Anderson, Springfield Police Department, for ending the threat posed by a motorist who had deliberately run over a Springfield police officer.
    • Corporal Jason A. Ashby, Missouri State Highway Patrol, for life-saving actions following a catastrophic boating collision.
    • Officer John K. Gresco II, St. Charles County Police Department, for life-saving actions during severe flash flooding.
    • Officers Ryan W. Broeker and Andrew C. Mattaline, Chesterfield Police Department; and Devin R. Kitrel, St. Peters Police Department; for life-saving actions following a deadly automobile crash.

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  • Governor?s Medal
    • Officers Mitchell D. Griffin and Dustin P. Hitchcock, St. John Police Department; Officer Michael W. Mertz, Crestwood Police Department; Officer Chad W. Hembree, Woodson Terrace Police Department; and Captain Darion Meeks, Kinloch Fire Department; for life-saving actions following a restaurant shooting in which multiple people were shot.

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  • Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award:
    • Kurtis Brown, nominated by Missouri State Highway Patrol, for rescuing two men trapped inside a burning armored truck after a crash.
    • Lendon J. Blanchard, Evan G. Clements, and Christopher A. Runion, nominated by Lamar Police Department, for critical assistance to a police officer in taking into custody a murder suspect after a violent disturbance at a church.
    • Jayden Groves, nominated by Louis Fire Department, for the life-saving rescue of a 22-month-old boy who was drowning in a pond.
    • Miles Spandle, nominated by Lee?s Summit Police Department, for life-saving actions following an automobile crash and fire.
    • Brody J. Von Brethorst, nominated by Cedar County Sheriff?s Office, for life-saving actions in the rescue of a teenager who sank to the bottom of a lake after diving off a 40-foot cliff.

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