Gov. Eric Greitens presented the Missouri Medal of Valor and four new Department of Public Safety awards over the weekend. They went to 16 Missouri public safety responders from across the state and two civilians who assisted law enforcement officers in emergency situations in 2016.
Officers from southwest Missouri received The Medal of Valor, Missouri’s highest award recognizing public safety officers who exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.
Jason Glendenning and Tyler Zimmerman, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol were recognized for rescuing several people on the Niangua River in Dallas County following heavy rains in July 2016.
Adam Brannin, Jason Francis and Rusty Rives, with the Joplin Police Department were recognized for ending the threat of further violence following shootings in Joplin in August 2016. They initially responded to a call for a gunman firing multiple shots inside a house. That progressed to shots being fired into a church van at an intersection. Brannin, Francis and Rives eventually captured the gunman.
Family members and the officers’ colleagues were on hand for the presentation of the awards during a Jefferson City ceremony, which was followed by a reception at the Governor’s Mansion.
Nominations are now open for heroic acts performed during 2017 and exceptional service that advances public safety in Missouri. Nominations must be received by March 31, 2018. Nominating forms are available here.
