The Spring 2016 Highway Patrol Awards Ceremony honored 21 people including a pilot of a medical evacuation team and his cargo -- a trooper who had been shot seven times. Others in the Highway Patrol saved victims of choking, heart attacks, fire and car crashes. Other recognized acts included providing technical assistance, responding to a suicide caller and providing community service.
Department of Public Safety Secretary Frank Perry said the Patrol members being honored went beyond their oath and did not take it casually.
Col. William Grey said troopers join the Patrol to make a difference in the world. He said they have an unselfish willingness to step up in challenging times.
"These stories remind us how blest we are," Grey said.
The ceremony was held at the Highway Patrol Training Academy in Raleigh on March17.
Appreciation Award and Purple Heart Award
On October 17, 1975, U.S. Army Medical Evacuation Pilot Richard Seifried was returning from a mission when he heard on the police radio that an officer had been shot in the Laurinburg area. Trooper Harry Stegall had been shot seven times after stopping a speeding motorist who turned out to be wanted for murder.
Seifried, flying below visual flight rules, picked up Stegall and flew him to the University of North Carolina Hospital in Chapel Hill. Because of the bad weather, Seifried and his crew used road maps to find their way in the thick fog while watching for obstacles in the flight path. The crew saw a blinking red light and thought it was on top of a building. Instead, it was a traffic light.
In February, more than 40 years later, Stegall and Seifried found each other and talked for the first time on the phone. "It was one of the most wonderful phone calls I have had in my life," Seifried said. "The mission was a pivotal moment in my life, learning the true meaning of risk vs. reward and what could be done if you set your mind to it and refuse to give up."
For more details on the pilot's story, click here.
For Trooper Stegall’s story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGm3QF3GPmI
Valor Award
Trooper Jonathan W. Gouge - On the morning of Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, off-duty Trooper Jonathan Gouge was driving through Valdese when he noticed heavy smoke and flames coming from the second floor of a residence. Trooper Gouge stopped and a neighbor said there was someone still in the house. Trooper Gouge broke a window to unlock a door and went into the house where he was able to locate the owner and remove her from the house. She was unaware that her house was on fire. He then helped to extricate another occupant of the house before the individual was overcome by smoke. He also rescued three small dogs before the house was completely engulfed in flames.
Trooper Gouge’s quick reactions undoubtedly were instrumental in saving these lives. He placed his own safety at risk to ensure that others were safe from harm. Chief Charles Watts, of the Valdese Fire Department, expressed his deep gratitude and thankfulness for the actions of Trooper Gouge, stating that his actions certainly kept two people from dying as a result of the fire and smoke.
Trooper Gouge's actions are at the pinnacle of what we expect from a public servant and exceeds the behavior exhibited by the average person. His heroic efforts reflect highly upon the State Highway Patrol and the Department of Public Safety.
Samaritan Service Awards
Tammy Langdon and Trooper Lawrence W. McKeithan - On January 14, 2016 just after noon, Tammy Langdon was working the front desk on the first floor of the Archdale Building answering phones. She received a call from a person who was suicidal. Langdon got the caller's name and location, then contacted Trooper Larry McKeithan for assistance with talking with the caller. Trooper McKeithan used his training as part of the Member Assistance Team with the Highway Patrol and talked with the caller. In the meantime, Langdon contacted the Washington County Sheriff's Department and worked with the communication center in getting a deputy to respond to the caller's address. Trooper McKeithan kept talking with the caller until the responding deputies arrived at the location.
The actions of Langdon and McKeithan potentially saved the life of the caller who was considering suicide. Both nominees were calm under pressure and handled the situation in the appropriate manner.
Sgt. Garrett A. Barger and Trooper Barry N. Burnette - On Nov. 28, 2015 at approximately 7:45pm, Sgt. G. A. Barger (E-622) and Trooper B. N. Burnette (E-630) had just completed their meal break when they overheard radio communications from the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office stating a subject had been shot at the southound Interstate 85 Rest Area in Cabarrus County. Both SHP members were in the general vicinity and immediately responded with blue lights and siren activated to check on the welfare of the victim and attempt to apprehend the suspects.
Sgt. Barger and Trooper Burnette communicated via radio prior to arriving on the scene to develop a systematic plan to safely approach the scene and attempt to locate both the victim and the suspects. Both members arrived at the scene of the shooting within less than two minutes of receiving the call and quickly located the shooting victim lying on the men's bathroom floor with a bullet wound in his back. The victim was conscious, and Sgt. Barger and Trooper Burnette conducted a brief search of the exterior building to locate the shooting suspect. A rest area attendant informed the members that the suspects had fled the scene on foot.
Trooper Burnette provided security at the door of the bathroom while Sgt. Barger assessed the victim's injuries and relayed more detailed information to Cabarrus County EMS personnel regarding the victim's injuries. Sgt. Barger also provided a detailed description of the shooting suspects to the Cabarrus County Communications Center. Trooper Burnette continued to provide security at the door as he spoke with the victim's wife and children to comfort and reassure them that they were now safe.
Once Sergeant Barger and Trooper Burnette determined that the scene was safe for EMS personnel to enter the rest area to assist the shooting victim, the members continued to provide security for allied agency personnel and assisted them with loading the victim into the ambulance. Sgt. Barger and Trooper Burnette secured the crime scene with issued crime scene tape until members of the Cabarrus County Sheriff's Office and Concord Police Department arrived to investigate the shooting.
Sgt. Barger assigned other responding Highway Patrol members to assist with scene security as the evidence was processed and an allied agency K-9 was used to search for the suspects. Sgt. Barger contacted the Department of Transportation to request barrels for traffic control to preserve the crime scene.
The shooting victim is now paralyzed from the waist down as a result of the gunshot wound he sustained. However, the victim is extremely fortunate to have survived this potentially lethal ordeal. Both shooting suspects were ultimately identified with surveillance footage from the rest area and were apprehended a few days later as a result of the timely response and heroic actions of Sgt. Barger and Trooper Burnette.
Sgt Barger and Trooper Burnette used sound judgment and relied upon expert tactical skills obtained during recent Active Shooter Firearms Training they each received earlier this year. The professionalism displayed and collaboration with allied agencies exhibited by Sgt. Barger and Trooper Burnette on this occasion reflected favorably upon them, as well as the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.
Trooper Terry P. Neal - About 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, 2016, Trooper Terry Paul Neal was off duty conducting a weekend drill with his National Guard Unit in Kings Mountain. Trooper Neal, along with three other Guardsmen, heard a young lady, approximately 15 years of age, screaming for help. Trooper Neal and the Guardsman rushed to the area where they heard the screams. The Guardsmen located the young lady and observed what appeared to be a white male, about 19 years of age, groping the young lady. Trooper Neal along with the three Guardsmen apprehended the male suspect and detained him until Kings Mountain Police Department arrived and took the suspect into custody. This act ended the immediate danger to the female victim and prevented additional harm from coming to her.
The suspect was charged by Kings Mountain Police Department with 2nd Degree Sexual Assault and 2nd Degree Battery. He was taken before a magistrate and placed under a $100,000 secured bond.
Trooper Joseph P. Howard - On Feb.10, just before 10 p.m., the Beaufort County 911 Center dispatched a report of a suicidal man sitting on the bridge rail of US17 between Chocowinity and Washington. Trooper J. P. Howard, responded to the scene to assist a Chocowinity Police Officer who had been dispatched. Trooper Howard and Officer Fucito, from the Chocowinity Police Department, started a conversation with the man.
The man had a rope attached to the bridge rail and tied around his neck. He told Trooper Howard and Officer Fucito that he had nothing to live for and wanted to kill himself. Each time Trooper Howard and Officer Fucito would attempt to get closer to him, the man would lean further over the bridge rail. After several tense minutes, Trooper Howard and Officer Fucito were able to develop a rapport with him. Trooper Howard and Officer Fucito were able to contain the situation long enough for members of the man’s family to arrive on the scene, as well as several deputies from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. The man became distracted while talking with a family member, and officers were able to take him into custody without further incident.
Although Trooper Howard was not dispatched to this call, he responded to provide assistance. Trooper Howard’s actions assisted in potentially saving the man’s life.
Trooper Michael W. Coley - On Jan. 14, 2016 at approximately 1:45 p.m., there was a vehicle collision on I-85 in Rowan County. A black Ford pickup was traveling at a high rate of speed south bound in the second lane from the right. A black passenger car was in the right most lane traveling the speed limit. As the truck approached the passenger car, the truck changed lanes and struck the car in the back left quarter panel. This collision spun the car around and sent the truck off the road to the right. Once off the road, the truck struck the embankment and overturned. The driver was ejected and came to rest approximately 100 feet from the truck.
Trooper M. W. Coley happened to drive up on the crash moments after it occurred. He requested EMS, grabbed his medical bag and began treating the patient. Being a paramedic, Trooper Coley was able to render aid within one minute of the crash, but was not able to save the driver. Trooper Coley was one of the responders giving primary aid and assisting with breathing via bag mask. He was also giving instructions to other responders as to what needed to be done. His knowledge of trauma treatment was evident.
Trooper Coley's action, though unsuccessful in saving the victim’s life, represent to the fullest degree the mission statement of the State Highway Patrol which is to "safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people in North Carolina.”
Trooper Joshua M. Thomas - On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, Trooper Thomas had escorted his son's travel baseball team to the UNC/Duke game. The team decided to stop at Olive Garden in Burlington for a meal. Trooper Thomas sat down to eat when his wife nudged him and stated the waiter behind her needed help. Trooper Thomas turned around to check and heard the waiter state that a female was choking and he did not know the Heimlich maneuver. Trooper Thomas and a Reidsville Police officer, Keith Petty, who was with the group, responded to assist. Trooper Thomas approched the female from the rear and asked if she needed help, she nodded yes. Trooper Thomas attempted the Heimlich several times but was unable to dislodge the obstruction. The victim lost consciousness. Trooper Thomas and Officer Petty lowered her to the ground. Trooper Thomas performed a head tilt chin lift and the victim still was not able to breathe. Trooper Thomas then opened her mouth and performed a finger sweep. The finger sweep was successful. The victim began to breathe and regained consciousness a few seconds later.
Trooper Thomas and Officer Petty remained with the victim until EMS arrived. She was taken to a private room and assesed by Paramedics. The victim refused transport and has made a full recovery.
Sergeant Randolph L. Roberts - On Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016, at approximately 11:25 a.m., Sgt. Randy Roberts, a 26-year veteran, was on patrol in a Charlotte suburb when he noticed a young boy frantically waving his arms and running in his direction. Out of breath and shaking, the young boy explained that his friend, 13-year old Mason Diel, was attempting to climb over a five-foot wrought-iron fence into a neighbor’s yard when he slipped causing a laceration to his right leg. The young boy was suspended in air and in dire need of help.
Sgt. Roberts immediately ran over to the injured boy to assess his injuries. Acting on his training and instinct,Sgt. Roberts instructed neighbors to call 911 and to grab his EMT medical bag from the backseat of his patrol vehicle. Due to the nature and location of the wound, he quickly applied pressure with both hands with the hopes of stopping the bleeding.
Eventually a tourniquet was applied using a belt which stopped further blood loss. Sgt. Roberts, along with the Diel’s mother and neighbors, comforted the child until first responders arrived. The Mason Diel was taken to Carolinas HealthCare System Levine Children’s Hospital and he has fully recovered.
Sergeant David S. Smith - On Nov. 22, 2015 at 4:57 p.m., Sgt. D. Scott Smith (D-422) was working at the Roxboro Office and overheard an EMS call dispatched to 114 Hester Store Road. The call was in reference to an active heart attack with CPR in progress. Sgt. Smith contacted Person County EMS directly via radio communication to confirm the address and was told the address was directly behind the D4 Patrol Office.
Sgt. Smith quickly responded to the residence and, upon arrival, observed an elderly male lying in the floor of the living room. An elderly female was attempting to perform CPR. Sgt. Smith offered to help and the female asked him to take over. Sgt. Smith performed CPR for approximately five minutes until EMS units arrived. He remained on scene and assisted EMS with removing the subject from the house. EMS personnel had to use a defibrillator four times prior to transporting the elderly man to the hospital.
Sgt. Smith's quick thinking and willingness to help ultimately played a vital role in keeping this gentleman alive until EMS units could arrive and provide additional care that was beyond Sgt. Smith's abilities.
The 79-year-old heart attack victim survived this incident. Unfortunately, a few days later Mr. Crumpton suffered another heart attack that proved fatal. He was awaiting a pacemaker.
During the week of November 30th, Sgt. Smith was contacted by EMS/Fire Department personnel and personally thanked for his actions. His behavior had obviously impacted the family and has also reflected positively on the entire community.
Meritorious Service Group Award
Patrol Armory: Lieutenant R. W. Elkins, Jr., Sergeant C. M. Tedder, Sergeant J. L. January, Trooper D. E. Mazzotta, Trooper P. B. Yount - From December 2015 to March 2016 the Patrol Armory identified an emerging issue related to a defective trigger bar in patrol-issued pistols. The armory staff notified the manufacturer who submitted the affected parts for scientific testing. The manufacturer determined that 730 affected pistols had been assembled with trigger bars subjected to over hardening in the manufacturing process. This over hardening resulted in the affected trigger bar failures.
The Patrol Armory's proactive actions resulted in the manufacturer agreeing to replace the affected part, as well as provide factory technicians in every troop to make the repairs at no cost to the Highway Patrol. If the Patrol Armory staff had not demonstrated leadership and initiative, the Highway Patrol would have been responsible for making these repairs at a cost of approximately $50,000 in parts and labor. The Patrol Armory's actions resulted in a significant cost savings for the Highway Patrol, as well as directly impacted 730 trooper's safety.
The Patrol Armory staff coordinated with the manufacturer and troop commanders to implement a systematic plan to replace all defective parts within the troops.
Meritorious Service Award
Mark C. McLeod - Technical Services Unit - In August 2015, the North Carolina Highway Patrol’s Public Information Office began the development of an agency yearbook. The assignment required intense planning and preparation to ensure each aspect of the project would be successful. With this in mind, the Public Information Office requested the assistance of various sworn and civilian personnel to assist with the project to ensure a timely completion date.
One of the most important aspects of the yearbook project required the photography of sworn and civilian members as well as retirees and chaplains across the state. After consulting with the contracted photographer, it was evident a photography schedule would have to be implemented. This daunting task was made possible with the assistance of Mark McLeod. Mark constructed an online database reflecting every sworn and civilian member statewide by troop and district. This database allowed members to be scheduled by their respective supervisor according to timeslots throughout the dates provided by the photographer.
The scheduling process provided both sworn and civilian members a timeframe to attend the photography sessions for each troop. This removed the stress of shortages throughout each district, allowing for normal operations to continue. To further assist, Mark also created an entry column that allowed retirees and chaplains to be entered into the photography schedule. Mark also provided the ability to enter a specific number provided by the photographer as the pictures were taken. This process ensured the name of the person being photographed matched their picture.
The data entry created by Mark required several hours of work separate and apart from his normal job task. The task of creating a photography schedule for more than 2,000 people would have been painstaking without his assistance. The creation of this online database saved countless work hours, provided less strain on district operations, and expedited the entire process of the yearbook project. The efforts provided by Mark are above what is required of his position and are commended.
Humanitarian Award
Network Technician Roger D. Frizzell - In 2011, Rocky's oldest daughter asked him to teach her some karate. At that time he was not really looking to teach again. So, Rocky started searching out a possible place to take her to learn karate. When he found out that most martial arts schools in the area were charging $100 to $200 a month, he decided to go ahead and teach her himself. He knew that his family could not afford to send her and their other daughter at that price. He started thinking that other families in that area were not able to afford karate classes at those prices.
Rocky started teaching his two daughters, and some of his friend's children karate. This grew by word of mouth and soon Rocky felt led to do this as a part-time ministry through their church. He wanted to keep the training free because he wanted anyone who wanted to learn karate to be able to do so. He believes it is very important, especially in the day and times that we live in for people, especially children, to be able to defend themselves if needed.
Working out of a Family Resource Center, the classes started with about five children. They now have approximately 50 students ranging from age three to 70 plus. The three-year-old is his youngest daughter, who has been participating in class since she could walk. With donations and pledges, they have recently been able to begin renting their own space at the Hub School of Alternatives Gym and the Victory Christian School gym.
Rocky teaches Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujyutsu, Brazilian Jjujitsu, and Krav Maga Maleh. There is a special group for ages three to six called "building blocks" which focuses on self defense for the youngest kids, as well as an obstacle course for learning beginning balance and coordination schools. The next class starts at age seven, and continues through adult. They have several families that are able to do it all together - mom, dad, and kids. Rocky feels that this is important because they are able to do something together as a family. They have several families with multiple children that attend, some with five or six children. They also serve families that home school, and that use their martial arts classes as their PE classes.
Rocky's class now has the opportunity to do self defense training for a sorority at Western Carolina University, other women's only self defense groups, and a self-defense classes for a local Christian high school. In the future Rocky will be offering training for the Jackson County SWAT team, and VIPER personnel.
Rocky has been conducting volunteer demonstrations for community groups like 4H, fundraising demonstrations, or kick-a-thons for a couple kids in their group, one who had to have brain surgery, and another child that needed an organ transplant. Rocky feels it is very important to teach the kids to give back to the community, participate in collecting crisis care kids for emergency victims, and care boxes for soldiers. Rocky has volunteered all of this work.
Tommy Cheek Award
Troop A, District 2 - Troop A, District 2, which is composed of Bertie, Hertford and Gates counties, had the largest reduction in collisions for the calendar year of 2015. They went from 1,142 collisions in 2014 down to 1,000 collisions in 2015. The 142 fewer collisions represent a 12.43% decrease. Fst. Sgt. Michael Warren and the members of A2 are to be commended for their countless sacrifices and efforts to reduce the chance of property damage, injury and fatal collisions, thereby remaining consistent with the mission of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. This is the second year in a row Troop A, District 2 has received this award.