Elks honor law enforcement

The 33^rd annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Evening sponsored by the Mineral Area Community Elks was held Thursday, February 27, to honor members of the St. Francois County law enforcement community. The event, started by Roland Seal, who was unable to attend due to illness, was hosted by St. Francois County Auditor, Louie Sieberlich.

Sieberlich recognized a number of guests in attendance, State Senator Mike Henderson(S-3), State Representatives Dale Wright(R-116) and Becky Laubinger(R-117), and from the Mineral Area College Law Enforcement Academy, Director Doug Ruess, and instructor Jason Fitzwater. Also in attendance was the current class president of the MAC graduating enforcement class, Edward Lewis, and Jimmie Lewis, an alumnus of the Wounded Warrior Project who will return to the sheriff’s department after his May graduation from the academy.

The featured speaker for the evening was Brice Sechrest, Presiding Judge in the 24^th Judicial Circuit, who spoke of his appreciation of the job that law enforcement performs. Sechrest said, “It would be impossible for us to do the job that we have to do in the court system if you weren’t there doing the hard work on these cases at the beginning. You do a lot of other work interacting with the community that goes unnoticed.” Continuing, he said, “I’m impressed always by the work and the attitude that I see on law enforcement whenever I do get the opportunity to interact with you. I don’t think I would be speaking out of turn if I said on behalf of myself, Judge Horn, Judge Murray, and Judge King, just how much we do appreciate all of the work that you guys do as law enforcement and first responders.”

The first award of the evening was then presented to Judge Sechrest as the St. Francois County Citizen of the Year 2024, presented by the Mineral Area Elks. Area law enforcement and first responders were then honored for distinguished service, lifetime service, or outstanding actions in the line of service.

Desloge: Officer Bailey Litton was recognized for his actions “quick thinking and fast actions” in the saving of an individual in full cardiac arrest by administering CPR as “the victim had no pulse and was not breathing.” By the time EMS arrived, the victim had a pulse and was breathing on their own.” Litton was not able to be in attendance and his award was accepted by Desloge Police Chief Jebo Bullock.

Missouri State Highway Patrol: Trooper Zach Ricker was recognized as “a gentleman who actively enforces the law” and for his “compassionate, fair, and unbiased manner.” He made 76 DWI arrests, which placed him 6^th in the state for the MSHP, conducted 400 traffic stops and investigated 57 vehicle crashes. “His dedication and meticulous attention to duty give witness to his character and personify the expectations of a Missouri State Trooper.”

 

Leadington: Officer Jason Jarvis was recognized for his dedication and “all that he does. He is the type of person that will stay until the task is completed. He has become the department detective in the past year and has investigated a wide array of cases leading to over 270 arrests in less than a year that were either filed through the City of Leadington or the state. He is truly a man of integrity.”

Park Hills: Officer Jonathon Pendergraft was acknowledged for “not taking no for an answer when trying to make it safe for students to cross a busy street when changing class. After being told no on some of his proposals, he didn’t stop. Eventually the city and school came together and found a safe solution. This would not have happened had he not been so determined about getting this accomplished.” He was also commended for his willingness to step in and cover shifts when the department is shorthanded. Park Hills and Central schools said they “are very blessed to have him as a part of our department.”

Farmington: Officer Wynn Pierce was commended “for his reliability, resilience, and compassionate approach in all aspects of his work. Whether responding to critical incidents, mentoring fellow officers, engaging with the public, or through proactive crime prevention.” Pierce has written 122 reports, 32 accident reports, 208 written warnings, 36 citations and made 31 physical arrests. “He embodies the values of dedication, courage, and integrity that define a police officer.”

St. Francois County Ambulance District: Chris Hoover was recognized as the 2024 Paramedic of the Year. Hoover has been a paramedic with the district since 1998, “dedicating over two decades to serving our community with compassion and excellence. Throughout his career, he has exemplified the core values of EMS, consistently demonstrating skill, leadership and a strong sense of duty. His decades of service and passion for emergency medicine truly embodies the spirit of this honor.”

Life Saving Award: Deputy Erica Barton’s quick response and actions saved the life of a man who was gasping for air and then ceased breathing. She administered CPR for two minutes during which time the victim began breathing. However, minutes later his breathing stopped again, and Barton resumed CPR for approximately 10 minutes until EMS could take over compressions. The next day Barton learned that the victim had survived and was contacted by the victim’s mother, who told Barton that she (Barton) had saved her son’s life.

St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department: Deputy Jenna Sitton was recognized for her exceptional dedication and determination and her passion for fugitive apprehension. Sitton sustained injuries in the apprehension of a suspect who attempted to escape on an ATV. “Deputy Sitton, with no regard for her safety, jumped on the ATV with the suspect and became entangled with the suspect, who was repeatedly striking her. Despite sustaining serious injuries after being ejected from the ATV, Deputy Sitton remained focused on her mission, demonstrating incredible resilience and commitment. She exemplifies integrity, bravery, dedication and an unwavering sense of justice.”

St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department: Mike Ryan, a long-time member of the Sheriff’s Department was recognized and his promotion to Captain and Chief Deputy was announced by Sheriff Jeff Crites. Crites and Ryan’s wife pinned his awarded Captain’s bars on his uniform. Crites recognized Ryan’s long, dedicated service to the department and to the people of St. Francois County.

9-1-1 Award: Dylan Rice was honored with the 9-1-1 Dispatcher of the Year presented by Alan Wells, the director of St. Francois County 9-1-1. Wells recognized service and dedication saying, It is with great honor” that he had the opportunity to recognize such a hardworking and conscientious individual, who was such an asset to the 9-1-1 county communications.

Centurion Award: The first Centurion Award for the evening was to Bonne Terre police Lieutenant William Stegall. Stegall, who retired from the force in November of 2024, graduated from the Mineral Area Police Academy in 1995. He joined the Bonne Terre force in May of that year and was a 30-year member of the department, working his way from patrolman to lieutenant, a post he attained in 2012.

Centurion Award: the second Centurian Award of the evening was presented to Doug Calvert, who recently retired from his position as Bonne Terre Police Chief, a position he held for 20 years of his 32-year Bonne Terre career. Doug is currently the Director of Public Safety for the city of Bonne Terre, a position he assumed in December of 2024.

The final award of the evening was recognition of recently retired, longtime St. Francois County Sheriff, Dan Bullock. Presenting the award was Bullock’s brother, Desloge Police Chief, Jebo Bullock. “I couldn’t pass up this night without giving some honor to our brother. 1981 was when Dan and I started out.” Dan Bullock started his career in the sheriff’s department and then left to become the Chief of Police in Bismarck. He returned to the county and then left again to become the Police Chief of Esther. He returned to the county again and ran for sheriff and won in 1992.

“Dan is responsible for the facility that sits out there behind the prison. He’s responsible for helping bring in the law enforcement tax to St. Francois County. He was on the original board to get 9-1-1 started in St. Francois County. He started the Shop with a Cop program in this county that has been a huge success, if not the largest success in law enforcement in St. François County.” Continuing Chief Bullock said, “He made a larger sheriff’s department force where there were many, many more deputies and cars on the road.”

Concluding Chief Bullock said, “So, I wanted to take this time just to honor my brother, our brother, our brother in law enforcement. I ordered a plaque that was supposed to have been here this past Monday. Well, UPS tells me it’s going to arrive between 10 and 2 tomorrow. So come back tomorrow.”

The inscription on the plaque read: Sheriff Daniel Ray Bullock, DSN 980, You have served the citizens of St. Francois County with honor, selflessness, and dedication. Your loyalty to the citizens, the U.S. Constitution, and the office you held will never be equaled. Thank you for your service, law enforcement 1981-2024, 43 years. St. Francois County Sheriff, 1992-2024, 32 years.

Host for the evening Louis Seiberlich, presented Dan Bullock the “Centurian Award for Lifetime Dedication to Law Enforcement, presented to Sheriff Dan Bullock, retired. Presented by the Mineral Area Elks Lodge.”

The evening concluded on that note with a standing ovation for Dan Bullock. The evening was a fitting and respectful gathering honoring law enforcement and first responders from St. Francois County, whose acts of heroism and decency in the line of duty often never see the light of day. It was a welcome evening to recognize their continual contributions to improving our communities and making this a safe place to reside.

Dan Schunks is a staff writer for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at dschunks@dailyjournalonline.com.