Local Trooper Wins Valor Award

(Cape Girardeau) The Missouri State Highway Patrol recognized 29 employees at the Annual Awards Banquet for troopers held Saturday night at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Cape Girardeau.

There was one local award recipient.

Sergeant Lance DeClue from Troop I was presented the Valor Award for performing an extraordinary act of heroism in a situation involving considerable danger to the employee and the possibility of injury or death to citizens or other officers.

On July 28th of last year, Sergeant DeClue was preparing to begin his shift when he overheard radio traffic from Crawford County regarding a pursuit.

The suspect was traveling in a stolen vehicle and firing a handgun toward a deputy who was pursuing him.

Sergeant DeClue reported for duty and followed the pursuit into Washington County and then into Iron County.

Sergeant DeClue followed the suspect onto a Doe Run Company Mine Haul Road. When the suspect reached a dead end, he turned the vehicle around and came toward Sergeant DeClue’s patrol vehicle.

Sergeant DeClue determined the suspect would put others in danger if he did not stop him.

DeClue then intentionally rammed the suspect’s vehicle and disabled it.

He exited his patrol vehicle and ordered the suspect to show his hands.

After the suspect complied, he was taken into custody.