![Trooper Bill Kirkman]()
The annual Wyoming Highway Patrol Association Awards Banquet was help last Friday in Sundance to recognize members of Patrol for individual and group achievements and actions in 2014. Recognition given at the banquet consisted of awards from both the Wyoming Highway Patrol Association and the Wyoming Highway Patrol Strategic Plan.
Here’s a breakdown of the awards and the stories behind them:
![Lieutenant Chris Schell]()
Lieutenant Chris Schell
The Distinguished Service Medal was given to Lieutenant Chris Schell and Trooper Bill Kirkman. Lt. Schell’s actions have greatly enhanced the image and efficiency of the Wyoming Highway Patrol. His actions have also contributed to an enhanced level of safety for the citizens of Wyoming. After a fatal shooting involving Casper Police Officers on Sept. 30, 2014, Trp. Kirkman took a leadership role and began verifying the officers’ well being. Trp. Kirkman also made efforts to initially secure the crime scene. Not only did Trp. Kirkman maintain his composure, he immediately assumed a leadership role and further protected the victims, officers and crime scene. Both Schell and Kirkman are stationed in Casper.
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Trooper Mitch Kannier (of Rock Springs) and Trooper Kent Hutchinson (of Evanston) were awarded the Luke Schauland Medal of Life.
On June 4th, 2014, Trooper Kannier, stationed in Division “E”, Rock Springs, was dispatched to the area of Little America, Wyoming, for an infant having a seizure. Trooper Kannier arrived on scene, and discovered the infant was not responsive or breathing. Trooper Kannier suspected the child was choking and took immediate life saving action, dislodged the blockage, and revived the child.
On July 2nd, 2014, Trooper Hutchinson, stationed out of Division “D”, Evanston, was dispatched to Interstate 80 west of Cheyenne for a reported medical emergency. When Trooper Hutchinson arrived on scene, he discovered a husband administering CPR to his non-responsive wife. The husband was exhausted and pleaded for help. Trooper Hutchinson flew into action and began administering CPR. Trooper Hutchinson continued his efforts for 16 minutes until emergency medical technicians arrived on scene. Through Trooper Hutchinson’s efforts, the EMTs were able to regain a pulse.
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Canine Robbie was posthumously awarded the Canine Purple Heart. On October 19th, 2014, Trooper Chatfield was conducting a vehicle search near mile post 266 on Interstate 80 westbound east of Elk Mountain, Wyoming. Once Robbie had completed his search of the interior of the suspect vehicle, Trooper Chatfield attempted to reconnect Robbie’s leash. As Trooper Chatfield reached for Robbie, Robbie leapt from the suspect vehicle and ran into the lanes of travel. After entering the travel lanes of I-80, Robbie was struck by semi truck and killed instantly.
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Sheridan/Dietz Port of Entry Officer Troy Tyree was awarded the Top Port of Entry Officer award for 2014. Officer Tyree won the award as he works hard to be a team player on his crew and at the port. Officer Tyree demonstrated high production numbers of permits and inspections, shoveled snow and cleared sidewalks, freely helps others to find solutions and volunteers to work holidays so others can have the time off.
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Trooper Brian Sinner, stationed in Division “F”, Torrington and now Lieutenant Mike Simmons, Division “J” Supervisor in Laramie, were awarded the Combat Cross. The pair was involved in the shooting of an armed suspect. The suspect had allegedly shot and injured a patron of a bar located in Hawk Springs, Wyoming. The suspect fled the scene in a motor vehicle. After locating the vehicle, the suspect eventually fired a shot at a passing motor vehicle and exited his vehicle with rifle in hand. The suspect pointed his rifle at the troopers. Lieutenant Simmons engaged the suspect with his duty weapon striking him multiple times with the suspect falling to the ground. Once the scene was secure, the suspect was treated for his wounds and transported by ambulance to a Cheyenne hospital where he survived.
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WHP Dispatcher James “Jim” Ridgeway received the Top Dispatcher Award. During 2014, Dispatcher Ridgeway went above and beyond to assist the Wyoming Highway Patrol Communications Center. Dispatcher Ridgeway is dependable and very seldom calls in sick because he knows if he does, it will not only leave co-workers short and that officer safety may be compromised. Dispatcher Ridgeway is willing to do whatever is needed and never complains about it.
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WHP Trooper Marc Russell was nominated and received the Top Trooper Award. Trooper Russell is currently stationed in Division “M” that covers the Wheatland and Douglas areas. Trooper Russell views his position as a State Trooper as a true public servant. He maintains a positive outlook, even through difficult situations, and is a credit to the agency. Trooper Russell sets a positive example for his peers, works hard toward attaining the goals of the strategic plan, and actively strives to increase highway safety.
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Port of Entry Quality Control Analyst (QCA) Richard Smith received the WHP Top Civilian commendation for 2014. Richard works out of WHP Headquarters in Cheyenne. For the first part of 2014, Richard continued to perform the function of both QCA’s as he had done for much of 2013. During this time, he continued to perform at a superior level. He completed all work accurately, efficiently and in appropriate timelines. The addition of a second QCA also added training to his duties. He once again stepped up his work and has done an excellent job of training. Several federal and internal reports , budgets, scale replacement at the US-85 Port, and planning for Port of Entry In-Service are among his accomplishments and have either been a direct result of Richard’s work or the training he has provided.
