It's not every day a Missouri State Parks ranger is put in an emergency response position.
Roaring River State Park Ranger Steven Jabben may have saved more than one life with his quick thinking in November.
Barry County 911 asked Jabben to respond to a motor vehicle crash on Missouri 112, south of the park. Dispatch said the driver was slumped over the wheel and the vehicle was smoking. When he arrived, the truck was on fire and two men were pulling the driver out the passenger side.
Then, Jabben heard what sounded like a rifle shot and someone shouted: "There's ammunition in that truck," said David Snyder, law enforcement manager, who nominated Jabben for State Employee of the Month.
"Without regards of putting his own life in danger, Ranger Jabben grabbed the victim by the shirt and instructed another bystander to do the same," Snyder said.
They pulled the victim to what appeared to be a safe distance from the burning truck. Again, ammunition began to go off, so Ranger Jabben and the bystander pulled the victim farther away. The victim's eyes were closed, and he was gurgling, but he was able to squeeze Jabben's hand. Jabben administered first aid and covered the victim with a blanket.
At the same time, Jabben had called the Missouri Department of Transportation and the Seligman Fire Department. He instructed them to stop traffic before it could reach the blind curve, where the accident occurred.
Cox ambulance services arrived to take care of the victim, a Missouri State Highway patrolman arrived to address the crash information, and Washburn Fire Department put out the truck fire.
"Ranger Jabben's leadership and courage, while in this stressful situation, was outstanding and could very well have saved the lives of coming motorists and the victim," Snyder said.
"Ranger Jabben's act of valor, by putting the victim's well-being before his own, is a true testament to his commitment to the citizens he serves."
Missouri's 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.