Three men to receive certificates at Honorary Trooper ceremony | News

POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KFVS) - Captain George E. Ridens, commanding officer of Troop E from Poplar Bluff, announced Wednesday that three men will be recognized at an Honorary Troopers ceremony.

Larry W. Thresher of East Prairie, Mo. and Ronald D. Pipkin of New Madrid, Mo. will be presented with an Honorary Trooper certificate at the ceremony on Feb. 2. Bill E. White of East Prairie will be presented a Certificate of Appreciation.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Thresher, Pipkin and White are being recognized for their bravery while helping members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol during a traffic crash.

According to the highway patrol, on June 21, 2011, troopers were called to a vehicle crash on Missouri Route P, at the St. John's Bayou, in New Madrid County. They saw a sport utility vehicle had went off the south side of the road, became partially submerged and was being swept downstream in the St. John's Bayou. Troopers say they saw three men enter the water from the bank of the stream. They say two of them began swimming toward the vehicle and were able to break out the sunroof and remove the driver from the submerged vehicle. White helped troopers in getting the driver to the stream bank.

“The actions of these men were exemplary," said Captain Ridens. "Local law enforcement consider all three of them to be good citizens in their community. All three men upheld the motto of the Missouri State Highway Patrol of service and protection.”

The ceremony will be at the Troop E Service Center in Sikeston.

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