Awards Presented to Troopers for Bravery and Distinguished Service

INSTITUTE – In a ceremony at the West Virginia State Police Academy, Governor Bob Wise and Colonel Howard E. Hill, Jr. recognized nine Troopers for bravery and distinguished service while in the performance of their duties. A Purple Heart, seven Meritorious Service Medals and one Medal of Valor were presented to the Troopers.

“These awards are presented to Troopers who went above and beyond their normal call of duty,” said Colonel Howard E. Hill, Jr., Superintendent of the West Virginia State Police. “These awards are a reminder that Troopers place their lives in danger, even sacrifice their own well being, to uphold the law. The Troopers honored here today are great examples for what the new Cadet-Troopers should strive to become.”

Below is a list of those Troopers who were honored at today’s ceremony:

Purple Heart: Senior Trooper F. E. Holcomb, Point Pleasant - Shot in the leg responding to a domestic violence situation in Mason County

---

Medal of Valor: Senior Trooper F. H. Barlow, Marlinton, Special Operations – Rescued a wounded officer during a gunfight and stand off in Randolph County.

---

Meritorious Service Medal: All of these Troopers received this award for actions performed during a gunfight and stand off in Randolph County.

Senior Trooper S. P. Owens – Aviation	F/Sergeant R. D. Carson – Headquarters
Sergeant G. L. Menendez – Bridgeport	Senior Trooper C. A. Blevins – Elkins
Senior Trooper R. L. Clevenger – Parsons	Senior Trooper R. M. Hogan – Parsons
Sergeant C. F. Trader – Elkins, Special Operations

BACK