Not once, but twice Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Jeffry Leathers entered a burning home to help people inside to safety.
Objects were exploding, sending shrapnel through the air, the second time the Rolla-based Department of Public Safety employee entered.
"He risked his own safety to rescue a young child from a burning building," said Capt. Lee Ann Kenley, who nominated Leathers for State Employee of the Month. "Due to his heroic actions, and based on the testimony of other personnel, there is no doubt that Trooper Leathers saved the life of the 10-year-old female."
The event happened an afternoon in January.
Leathers arrived to find the garage next to the Salem home engulfed in flames. Numerous propane tanks nearby were venting gas and exploding.
The home soon ignited, and he found two women inside. Seeing them safely out, Leathers believed the home to be empty, and he began to secure the scene.
Then, a visibly distraught man arrive and attempted to enter the home, Kenley said. When he stopped the man, he learned the girl was still inside.
Leathers and Dent County Deputy J. Davis re-entered the home, which had extremely poor visibility due to the accumulation of dense smoke.
Once they found the girl, Leathers rushed her outside, giving her first aid, checking for possible injuries and reuniting her with her family.
The Missouri State Employee of the Month is selected by the State Employee of the Month Selection Committee from among nominations submitted by the 16 state departments and some elected offices. The six committee members also are members of the State Training Advisory Council.