JEFFERSON CITY—Senator Gary Romine, R-Farmington, attended the Missouri Medal of Valor awards ceremony in December at the Capitol. Held annually, this year’s ceremony recognized 10 of the finest men and women from the Missouri State Highway Patrol and police and sheriffs’ departments across the state.
“The Missouri Department of Public Safety’s website states the award is given to those public safety officers who ‘exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life,’” said Sen. Romine. “I was incredibly honored to be in a roomful of heroes, three of whom live in Jefferson County, part of which I represent.”
Pevely Police Officer (now Sergeant) Kyle M. Weiss and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Deputies Nina M. Osia and Michael T. Toombs were each awarded the Medal of Valor for the incredible acts of bravery and selflessness they demonstrated on Oct. 11, 2013. Deputies Osia and Toombs had received permission to search a rural Jefferson County residence where a wanted man was thought to be located. Descending the basement stairs, Deputy Osia spotted a gunman crouched with an AK-47 semi-automatic rifle. Gunfire was exchanged, with both deputies receiving gunshot wounds. The deputies worked to cover one another, while administering first aid to each other. The gunman initially escaped but was found just six hours later in a nearby residence.
The gunman broke out a window and ran out of the house as an entry team approached. Officer Weiss saw the gunman and ordered him to surrender. The gunman refused and instead raised his weapon to fire. Concerned for his safety and the safety of others at the scene, Officer Weiss fatally wounded the gunman.
“Learning of the extraordinary acts of courage performed by this year’s Medal of Valor recipients was both humbling and inspiring. Words cannot adequately express the gratitude I feel toward all of the exceptional men and women who make the choice every single day to put the lives of others ahead of their own. Quite simply, we are indebted to you, and we thank you,” Sen. Romine said. “In light of all the negativity surrounding our law enforcement in recent months, I especially want to commend Sergeant Weiss, Deputies Osia and Toombs, and all law enforcement in my district for their courage and sacrifice. I appreciate your unwavering commitment.”
For more information about the Medal of Valor award and past recipients, visit the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s website at www.dps.mo.gov/medal/. Additional information about this year’s recipients can be found at www.governor.mo.gov.
Please visit Sen. Romine’s official Missouri Senate website at www.senate.mo.gov/romine. |
