Missouri State Highway Patrol

Formal Recognition

Employee of the Month

This award recognizes Patrol team members, citizens, or groups who demonstrate excellence in the performance of duties or perform extraordinary acts which further the mission of the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

How to nominate: Nominations will be initiated by intradepartmental Correspondence SHP-15, supported by other documentation. Nominations will be made on the official “Employee of the Month Nomination” form located on the Patrol’s Intranet (Message Board) and in MSHP Forms. Nominations should be submitted through the chain of command to the superintendent’s office. Selected nominations will then be forwarded to the Department of Public Safety to be considered for the DPS Employee of the Month. The nomination will include, but is not limited to, the following information:

Name, age, position, title, and component of nominated team member or name and address of nominated citizen or group
Exact date, time, and location of the incident
Name, age, address, and telephone number of the principals involved
Complete description of the incident, including details of risk involved, method used to accomplish the act, and other pertinent facts
A copy of all applicable Patrol reports (which may fulfill the requirements listed above if sufficient detail is included in the text)
A copy of other law enforcement or emergency agencies’ reports, if available
Photographs and statements from witnesses, if available

Who can nominate: Any MSHP team member may nominate another MSHP team member who has performed outstanding service to the citizens of Missouri for the DPS Employee of the Month. There are two categories:

Sworn
Non-sworn

Reward: Recipients will be honored as MSHP Employee of the Month and will also be considered for DPS Employee of the Month and State of Missouri Team Member of the Month.

Letters of Commendation

An opportunity to recognize a MSHP team member for exceptional service with an official Letter of Commendation. The performance may have occurred over an extended period of time or have consisted of a single achievement benefiting the citizens of the state, the Patrol or the community.

How to nominate: Nomination of a team member or others for awards and certificates will be initiated by intradepartmental Correspondence SHP-15, supported by other documentation. The nomination will include but is not limited to the following information:

Name, age, position, title, and component of nominated team member or name and address of nominated citizen or group
Exact date, time, and location of the incident
Name, age, address, and telephone number of the principals involved
Complete description of the incident, including details of risk involved, method used to accomplish the act, and other pertinent facts
A copy of all applicable Patrol reports (which may fulfill the requirements listed above if sufficient detail is included in the text)
A copy of other law enforcement or emergency agencies’ reports, if available
Photographs and statements from witnesses, if available

Who can nominate: Any commander or supervisor may submit a proposed letter of commendation recognizing another team member for exceptional performance. The team member to be commended does not have to be a subordinate of the commander or supervisor submitting the commendation.

Reward: Team members will receive a Letter of Commendation.

Quarter Century Pin/Pendant

To commemorate steadfast service, team members with 25 years of full-time Patrol service will be presented with a pin or pendant during the month they become eligible.

How to nominate: The superintendent’s designee will provide affected commanders with the names of eligible team members and the appropriate number of pins/pendants for distribution.

Reward: Recipients will be presented a Quarter Century Pin/Pendant

Awards

The MSHP has awards to recognize Patrol team members, citizens, or groups who demonstrate excellence in the performance of duties or perform extraordinary acts which further the mission of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. The following are the categories used:

Valor Award –Special Act of Heroism – Presented to a team member who has performed an extraordinary act of heroism extending far above and beyond the call of duty in a situation demanding immediate action and involving considerable personal danger.
Meritorious Service Award – Presented to a team member for exemplary service where they, through diligence and perseverance, performs beyond the call of duty under unusual circumstances and conditions. The action taken must have prevented crime, protected life and property or aided in the apprehension of a criminal.
Lifesaving Award – Presented to an active or retired team member who is distinguished by saving the life of another person under extraordinary circumstances through their own actions, the application of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), or other critical lifesaving medical techniques. Survival of the person must be directly attributed to the actions of the team member/retiree.
Purple Heart Award – Presented to any team member who, under honorable conditions and in the lawful performance of duties, is wounded or injured either by the direct criminal actions of another or while attempting to save the life and/or property.
Benjamin Oliver Booth Officer of the Year Award – Commanders will ensure the efforts of those nominate correspond to activities that occur within the workplace.
The Matilda “Tillie” Sonnen Civilian of the Year Award – No specific standards for this award; however, commanders will ensure the efforts of those nominated correspond to activities that occur within the workplace.
Memorial Award – Presented in memory of a team member who dies in the line of duty, where the factors and considerations for other awards do not exist.
Work Recognition Awards – Presented to the officer from each troop who makes the highest number of arrests in the following categories:

Driving while intoxicated
Boating while intoxicated
Controlled substance
Felonies (any felony charge code other than controlled substance)
Criminal interdiction stops (member)
Criminal interdiction stop (CVO)

The MASTERS Public Service Award – Presented to member who has been actively involved in public service whether performed on duty or off duty.
The Superintendent’s Award for Excellence in Public Service – Presented to a civilian team member who has been actively involved in public service whether performed on or off the job.
Career Milestone Award – Presented to a member for exemplary service where the member has demonstrated a commitment and dedication through diligence and perseverance in their enforcement efforts over the course of their career.

How to nominate: Nominations will be initiated by intradepartmental Correspondence SHP-15, supported by other documentation. The nomination will include, but is not limited to, the following information:

Name, age, position, title, and component of nominated team member or name and address of nominated citizen or group
Exact date, time, and location of the incident
Name, age, address, and telephone number of the principals involved
Complete description of the incident, including details of risk involved, method used to accomplish the act, and other pertinent facts
A copy of all applicable Patrol reports (which may fulfill the requirements listed above if sufficient detail is included in the text)
A copy of other law enforcement or emergency agencies’ reports, if available
Photographs and statements from witnesses, if available

Nominations must include acceptable documentation when forwarded to the Awards Committee. The committee by a two-thirds majority vote, will determine the merit of nomination and the recognition to be awarded. Recommendations will then be forwarded by the Public Information and Education Division through the office of the Lieutenant Colonel for approval by the superintendent.

Who can nominate: Any MSHP team member who knows of exemplary action by another MSHP team member, citizen or group may nominate someone for this award.

Reward: Recipients will receive:

Engraved granite plaque
Citation from Superintending
Uniform Ribbon
Medal

Certificates

The MSHP has certificates to recognize Patrol team members, citizens, or groups. Certificates may be presented at a troop or General Headquarters meeting or other appropriate place as determined by the superintendent. The following are the categories used:

Honorary Trooper Certificate – Presented to a non-team member who performs in an exemplary manner, and under dangerous conditions, to aid another.
Certificate of Achievement – Presented for an act, or acts, performed by a team member , private citizen, citizens’ organization, private business, or government entity which supports, enhances, or assists the Patrol in achieving its mission or fulfilling its duties and responsibilities.
Certificate of Appreciation – Presented to a person, organization, business or agency as an expression of gratitude for significant services rendered to public safety.
Certificate of Retirement and Memorabilia – Presented to retiring Patrol team members.

Name, age, position, title, and component of nominated team member or name and address of nominated citizen or group
Exact date, time, and location of the incident
Name, age, address, and telephone number of the principals involved
Complete description of the incident, including details of risk involved, method used to accomplish the act, and other pertinent facts
A copy of all applicable Patrol reports (which may fulfill the requirements listed above if sufficient detail is included in the text)
A copy of other law enforcement or emergency agencies’ reports, if available
Photographs and statements from witnesses, if available