Latest news with #MedalsofValor
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Yahoo
Arkansas State Police honors Troopers of the Year
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Three Arkansas State Police corporals were awarded Medals of Valor and named Troopers of the Year following a high-speed pursuit last October that ended in the death of a suspect who attempted to run a trooper off the road. On Oct. 11, 2024, corporals Keegan Barnett, Dustin Carpenter and Marcus Simpson responded when a suspect began trying to force a fellow trooper off the highway. The situation escalated into a dangerous high-speed chase. Arkansas State Police trooper honored after risking life to stop driver speeding into oncoming traffic During the pursuit, Simpson attempted to intercept the suspect but was forced off the road, crashing into trees. Despite the wreck, Simpson told his colleagues to continue the chase without stopping to check on him. 'It's a hard reality of thinking my wife and kids could've lived the rest of their lives without me that day, that was tough,' Simpson said. Carpenter and Barnett continued the pursuit, facing the possibility of a deadly head-on crash. Both officers ultimately fired at the suspect, who ran off the road and died at the scene. 'You can see how close we got to civilians getting killed or hurt. As far as danger to the public, I've never had an incident like that happen at that level,' Barnett said. 'We were just glad we were able to perform and do our job without any civilians getting hurt—or anything worse happening than what already did,' Carpenter said. All three officers were honored for their quick decision-making and commitment to protecting public safety. 'It's not very often, maybe once a career, you get that. So it's a big deal,' Barnett said about receiving the award. The officers credited their training and trust in each other for their ability to respond under pressure. Arkansas State Police trooper recruit honors his grandfather who's a fallen ASP sergeant 'In law enforcement, we have that calling to protect and serve and put the community first,' Simpson said. 'I couldn't pick two better guys to handle this situation. They handled it to the best of their ability, and I knew they were going to do that,' Carpenter said. Officials said the trio's actions that day reflected not only professional skill but also a deep commitment to each other and the communities they serve. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
Fundraiser for Burnsville first responders begins to send families to D.C.
The Brief The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police started a GoFundMe campaign for the families and colleagues of Burnsville police officers Paul Elmstrand, Matthew Ruge and firefighter paramedic Adam Finseth to go to Washington D.C. for National Peace Officer Memorial Day in May. The organization has raised about $44,000 of its $100,000 goal to pay for airfare and hotels for the first responders' loved ones and co-workers to attend a memorial ceremony at the U.S. Capitol., where the first responders' names will be read, and they will receive posthumous Medals of Valor. OTSEGO, Minn. (FOX 9) - At 101 Market in Otsego, tulips are in full bloom and employees are using flower power to help the loved ones of fallen first responders' on the other side of the metro for the second year in a row. What we know "It's important to me just because I have people in the police organization, and it was just something that I felt we needed to do," said 101 Market cashier Pat Brueske. The backstory The Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police is not only hoping to help the first responders' loved ones get to the nation's capital, but also the entire Burnsville Police Department, which has coordinated with neighboring departments to cover their calls while they are gone. "The two things that I think all officers and firefighters want to know are that their family can be taken care of, and they not be forgotten and this is a chance for both. They're kind of a tight-knit family, and they're going out as a family and honoring these heroes and then returning together," said Kevin Rofidol from the Minnesota Fraternal Order of Police. What they're saying Last year, 101 Market raised more than $76,000 dollars by selling tulips to give to the first responders' grieving families. They hope donating the profits from this year's tulip fundraiser that ended last week to the GoFundMe will help the entire community. "It was tragic. I mean that's not something that we want to see. So hopefully we can all heal," said Brueske. If you'd like more information about the GoFundMe to help the families and coworkers of the Burnsville first responders get to DC, click here.
