Captain Bruce D. Fiske, commanding officer of Troop G, announces a West Plains, Missouri, man received the Patrol’s Honorary Trooper Certificate. The Honorary Trooper Certificate is presented to a nonemployee who performs in an exemplary manner, and under dangerous conditions, to aid another. The man was nominated due to his actions at the scene of a motor vehicle crash in Howell County.
On June 30, 2019, troopers were called to an injury crash near U.S. Highway 160, west of West Plains, Missouri, in Howell County. As troopers responded to the crash scene, a thick plume of black smoke could be seen from over a mile away. Upon arrival, they saw several first responders on scene attempting to approach a crashed pickup truck. The truck was in a partially wooded area against a tree and engulfed in fire. Fire personnel directed them to a man seated on the ground near a gate, indicating he was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. The driver was receiving care from another individual, Mr. Jeremy T. Adams.
Upon further investigation, it was discovered Mr. Adams responded to the scene after being notified by his wife who had driven up on the crash scene. He found the driver sitting upright in the cab, eyes open, but not responsive. The engine compartment was engulfed in flames, and the cab would soon follow. After repeatedly attempting to get a response from the driver, Mr. Adams opened the pickup door and carried him across the wooded field to the gate where they were found by first responders. The driver was treated for dehydration and carbon monoxide poisoning at an area hospital. He had little recollection of the incident and was unaware he had been pulled from the burning vehicle by a good Samaritan. The quick and decisive actions of Mr. Adams averted a tragedy by saving the life of the driver. On October 29, Jeremy T. Adams was awarded an Honorary Trooper Certificate. The presentation took place at Troop G Headquarters in Willow Springs, Missouri.