Missouri State Highway Patrol honors troopers for saving lives

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Col. Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, congratulates the 32 employees honored at the Patrol’s annual awards and The MASTERS banquet last Saturday at the Holiday Inn Executive Center.  Family, friends, and The MASTERS members gathered to honor the heroes of 2011.

Here are the awards and descriptions:

Memorial Award
Trooper Frederick F. "Fred" Guthrie Jr., Troop A

On August 1, 2011, Guthrie and his patrol dog Reed were assigned to the Missouri River flood duty. They were working in the area of Big Lake on Missouri 118 at Missouri 111 in Holt County. Apparently, they were swept away by swift flood water.

On Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2011, the body of Reed surfaced in the swift moving flood water approximately 100 yards from where Guthrie's truck and boat were located.  The dog was a five-year veteran.

On Sept. 28, 2011, Replogle regretfully announced the official death of Guthrie.  This announcement followed the issuance of Letters of Independent Administration by Platte County Associate Circuit Judge James Van Amburg to Guthrie's spouse, Mrs. Teresa Guthrie.  Amburg issued the letters after hearing evidence and declaring that Guthrie was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 1, 2011.

The search for Guthrie’s body continued.  On Jan. 12, 2012, it was recovered near the original search site.

Guthrie, 46, served and protected the citizens of Missouri for more than 17 years.  He became an officer of the Missouri State Water Patrol in 1994, then transitioned to trooper upon the merger to the Missouri State Highway Patrol on January 1, 2011.  He was the 30th member of the Patrol to make the ultimate sacrifice.  He is survived by his wife, Teresa, and three children, Amber, Dylan, and Cody.

The MASTERS Public Service Award
Lt. Steve Davis, Troop I

Davis is a living example of community service. He has lived and worked in four of the six counties in the Troop I area. As he performed his duties in each area, he became an integral part of his community through his local church, schools, and other civic organizations. He supported his three children's teams as a coach or in fundraising efforts, and he managed a youth football team for many years.  Davis was instrumental in the implementation of a security team at his church.  The team provides security and safe sanctuary during church events.

Davis volunteers with the Barwick/Newton National Law Enforcement Memorial Fund. This non-profit, benevolent organization is dedicated to supporting law enforcement families who have lost a loved one in the line of duty.  Davis works tirelessly for this organization, raising funds to ensure families of fallen officers are able to attend the national law enforcement memorial service in Washington, D.C.

Davis currently serves as president of the Rotary Club of Rolla.  This club supports local food pantries and other local charities, provides scholarships to high school students, and sponsors youth attending Boys State or Girls State.  He has been dedicated to Special Olympics Missouri throughout his life and is the Region 6 coordinator.

Lifesaving Award
Clerk Typist II Lacey D. Loring, Troop G

In October 2011, Loring prepared shrimp scampi for her family. Afterward, she took her young daughter to the bathroom for a bath. When she realized she'd forgotten a towel, she and her daughter went to the laundry room to get one. As she and her daughter made their way back to the bathroom, Clerk Typist Loring heard a loud noise coming from the kitchen. She investigated what sounded like someone kicking the kitchen cabinets only to find her husband, Trooper Garrett J. Loring, throwing himself against the sink.