Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday of May, commemorates the men and women who died while in the military service.  In observance of Memorial Day, fly the United States flag at half staff from sunrise until NOON , and then raise it to full height from noon to sundown. 

 

United States Flag Code

Section 7.M

 

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then slowly lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.  

Colonel Sandra K. Karsten, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to recognize the 17 employees honored at the Patrol's annual awards and The MASTERS banquet this past weekend. Family, friends, and members of The MASTERS (Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society) gathered at the Holiday Inn Executive Center in Columbia, MO. The Troop C Color Guard presented the colors. Trooper Orry R. Baker, Troop C, sang the national anthem. Senior Pastor D. Doug Richey, Pisgah Baptist Church, gave the invocation and benediction. Ms. Mary Paulsell, president of Central Missouri Honor Flight, provided the keynote address. Col. Karsten presented the Patrol awards; Mr. Kevin Zoellner, president of The MASTERS, presented The MASTERS Public Service Award.

The following awards were presented April 28, 2018:

Trooper Michael L. Bradley, Troop B, is currently assigned to Zone 8, serving and protecting Marion and Ralls counties. He understands the importance of strong relationships with his co-workers and people living in the communities he serves. He represented the Patrol well at the Missouri State Fair, the Legislative Black Caucus Foundation’s 32nd Annual Midwestern Conference, and two DWI operations in 2017. In both May and October 2017, he assisted at “Big Truck Night” at two schools. This program brings law enforcement and emergency services and equipment to schools for youth to see and experience. He welcomes and is eager to answer their many questions. Tpr. Bradley served as a staff member for the Patrol’s first-ever, week-long Youth Academy Program. This five-day camp teaches leadership to youth and fosters a positive relationship between them and law enforcement. Through his affiliation with Park Chapel Church, Tpr. Bradley was asked to serve at an area youth Bible camp in Palmyra, Missouri, sharing his knowledge of law enforcement and the Patrol. Tpr. Bradley also is a member of the Patrol’s mentor program.

The MASTERS Public Service Award honors Trooper Bradley's professional and personal service to the people of Missouri.

On November 13, 2017, Trooper Brian R. Siercks, Troop A, was advised of a hunting accident on County Road NW 10001 in Bates County, Missouri. He responded to the area and learned a subject had dropped his rifle while hunting. The rifle discharged and a bullet struck the subject in the chest, which was bleeding profusely. Tpr. Siercks applied a chest seal dressing and monitored the situation until emergency medical services personnel arrived. 

On August 8, 2017, Trooper William J. Crose, Troop B, was off duty and traveling southbound on Business U.S. Highway 63 in Kirksville, Missouri, when he came upon an injury crash involving a motorcycle and passenger car. Tpr. Crose stopped to assist. He found the motorcycle driver in the roadway suffering from critical injuries. Recognizing the driver’s airway was compromised due to bleeding, Tpr. Crose cleared the man’s airway of blood, placed him in the recovery position, and monitored his breathing until emergency medical services arrived. 

On April 18, 2017, Trooper Mark W. Hedlund, Troop C, was on routine patrol in Franklin County. CVE Inspector II Brian J. Hulsey, Troop C, was with Tpr. Hedlund on a ride-along. When Tpr. Hedlund came upon a single vehicle crash on Missouri Route N near Missouri Route O, he stopped to assist. Tpr. Hedlund and Insp. Hulsey ran to the vehicle, which was on fire, and found the seriously injured driver trapped inside the passenger compartment. Working together they removed the driver from the vehicle as it became engulfed in flames. 

On September 16, 2017, while assisting the St. Louis Police Department with the social unrest after the Stockley verdict, Corporal Mark C. Mason, Troop D, and

Sergeant John S. Ashby, Q/DDCC, responded to a call for assistance after a Chevrolet Trailblazer had almost struck a patrol vehicle on the shoulder of Interstate 64. The vehicle then struck a median wall, took an exit, and struck another median wall before coming to rest. As the subject was placed on the grass in the process of being arrested, Cpl. Mason and Sgt. Ashby arrived. Cpl. Mason recognized the driver’s breathing was shallow and he was becoming unresponsive. Sgt. Ashby positioned the driver and performed a head tilt, and Cpl. Mason administered rescue breaths. When it was determined the driver was under the influence of heroin, Narcan was requested. Cpl. Mason administered rescue breaths for 10 minutes, until Narcan arrived on scene and was administered. The driver awoke and became alert. 

On July 14, 2017, Trooper Nicholas W. March, Troop F, was on routine patrol when he overheard radio traffic regarding a possible cardiac arrest at the White Castle in Columbia, Missouri. He responded to the restaurant, and working with members of the Columbia Fire Department determined a female had overdosed on heroin. Tpr. March assisted with cardiopulmonary resuscitation until a member of the fire department could obtain Narcan. When the Narcan was administered, the woman revived. She was then transported to the hospital for treatment. 

On January 18, 2017, Lieutenant Steven V. Wilhoit, Q/DDCC, was traveling from Troop B to Troop A to assist in a manhunt after a subject fired a weapon at a trooper. While traveling on Missouri Highway 240 east of Missouri Route D in Saline County, he observed thick, black smoke coming from a garage attached to a residence. He immediately notified Patrol communications and requested fire personnel respond. He then stopped at the residence checking for the owners. Lt. Wilhoit woke the sleeping homeowners who were unaware their home was on fire, and got them to a safe location. 

On December 9, 2017, Sergeant Christopher M. Turner and Trooper Zachary A. Harrison, Q/GD, responded to a medical emergency at the Mark Twain Casino in LaGrange, Missouri. A patron had collapsed and was unresponsive. Along with a casino employee, Sgt. Turner and Tpr. Harrison took immediate action. Tpr. Harrison and the casino employee began administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation, while Sgt. Turner obtained an AED. Sgt. Turner then used the AED to shock the patron as directed. The troopers then monitored the patron until paramedics arrived. 

On May 17, 2017, during an investigation, a subject being frisked for weapons at the Lumiere Place Casino in St. Louis, Missouri, broke away from a trooper and fled to the back of the Missouri Gaming Commission Office. Trooper James R. Sauer, Q/GD, assisted the first trooper with regaining custody of the subject. After he was handcuffed, several small, plastic baggies with various controlled substances and loose pills were observed on the floor under the suspect. A short time later, the man began choking, stopped breathing, and lost consciousness. Tpr. Sauer lifted the man into an upright position and administered six abdominal thrusts, dislodging an obstruction. The man then began breathing on his own and was placed in the recovery position. Tpr. Sauer continued to monitor the man until emergency medical services personnel arrived.

Supply Manager II Christopher L. Terry, Q/BPD, possesses a keen understanding of the resources and logistical support necessary for the Patrol to successfully achieve its mission to serve and protect. One example was his preparation and resourcefulness prior to the detail deployed to St. Louis after the Stockley verdict. His foresight and execution ensured that critical resources were available during that detail. In December 2017, Mr. Terry accepted the Missouri State Recycling Program’s Annual Recycling Award. He has made outstanding contributions in the areas of waste reduction and recycling on behalf of the Patrol and state of Missouri. He coordinates the Patrol's effort throughout the state. Mr. Terry goes to great lengths to work with the Supply Section’s procurement personnel to ensure recycled products are purchased and supplied throughout the warehouse system he manages. He is a resourceful, committed asset to the agency. 

Corporal Dwade F. Isringhausen, Troop C, has been a vital part of his zone and troop operations. In 2017, he made 1,124 total arrests and 20 driving while intoxicated arrests, issued 1,052 warnings, worked 51 traffic crashes, and made 69 drug arrests. When the St. Louis City detail was formed, Troop C staff chose Cpl. Isringhausen to lead the detail. He attended Crisis Intervention Training, which when coupled with his training as Troop C’s SWAT team negotiator proved beneficial to several critical incidents within the troop. He has also taken a personal interest in the development of his fellow zone members. Cpl. Isringhausen designed and provided several training sessions in Standard Field Sobriety testing, courtroom testimony, and the Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test for his zone mates. He sets high standards for himself and those reporting to him. When the city detail was downsizing, he was the only corporal who was requested to stay in the city in a supervisory role. This is a direct reflection of Cpl. Isringhausen's ability to lead and the trust other officers place in his abilities. 

On April 30, 2017, Sergeant Kurt C. Merseal, Q/WPD, and Corporal Bryan S. Silverthorn, Troop I, responded to the Meramec River near Bird’s Nest Lodge after a report of an adult and two juveniles clinging to trees in the water. Due to their location and the swift current filled with debris, rescuing the victims by boat was not possible. Thus, Sgt. Merseal and Cpl. Silverthorn relied on their rescue swimming training. They tied their jet powered rescue boat to a nearby railroad bridge, which was barely out of the water, then crossed it on foot. The bridge was approximately 80 yards from the three victims. Sgt. Merseal jumped into the flooded Meramec River and performed an in-water swimming rescue of one young female before she could be swept away. Cpl. Silverthorn entered the water with a rope and personal floatation device and swam to a second young female. He evaluated her, then secured the rope to the tree, and made his way to the male victim. This placed Cpl. Silverthorn close enough to Sgt. Merseal to throw a personal floatation device to him for use by the first victim. Additional marine operations troopers arrived and worked with Sgt. Merseal and Cpl. Silverthorn in getting all three people to safety.

These employees’ actions are a credit to themselves and reflect the core values of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Congratulations to each of them.

Improvements to the Interstate 55/57/U.S. 60 cloverleaf interchange in Sikeston, Mo. will begin Monday, June 4, weather permitting. The interchange is located at mile marker 66. As work is underway, motorists should anticipate various lane and ramp closures.

The ramp from northbound I-55 onto westbound 60 will be closed, with a signed detour available. The ramp is expected to reopen Friday, Aug. 17, weather permitting.

The ramp from northbound I-57/eastbound 60 to northbound I-55 will also be closed, with a signed detour available. The ramp is expected to reopen Monday, Oct. 1, weather permitting.

Lane closures will also be in place. Northbound I-55 will be reduced to one lane with a 10-foot width restriction from mile marker 64 to mile marker 67. In addition, westbound U.S. 60/southbound I-57 and eastbound U.S. 60/northbound I-57 will be reduced to one lane with a 14-foot width restriction below the overpass. Completion is anticipated by Monday, Oct. 1, weather permitting.