Shane Talburt and Logan Monahan named State Employees of the Month

Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Shane Talburt is pictured at left. Trooper Logan Monahan is at right.
Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper Shane Talburt is pictured at left. Trooper Logan Monahan is at right.

Two Missouri Highway Patrol troopers were named as December State Employee of the Month.

On June 4, 2016, at approximately 11:30 a.m., troopers Shayne Talburt and Logan Monahan overheard radio traffic regarding a crash where the vehicle was partially submerged in flooded Cypress Creek in Ripley County. Talburt and Monahan responded because they had swift water gear in their patrol vehicle and knew the possible circumstances involved in a water rescue.

Talburt and Monahan arrived and located a vehicle in the creek with an 82-year-old driver, Harlon Vincent, still trapped inside.

Two bystanders, James Willis and Trent Ray, had entered the water in an attempt to remove Vincent and assisted by keeping his head above the water line.

Talburt and Monahan entered the floodwaters with their equipment, and Talburt took over for the bystander holding Vincent's head.

Vincent said he was getting tired and losing strength due to the cold water. Monahan managed to get Vincent out with the help of a bystander.

Talburt and Monahan continued to monitor Vincent due to his severe injuries and shock. He was eventually transferred to medical personnel on the bank of the creek. Medical personnel determined Vincent had suffered a broken neck from the accident.

"Troopers Talburt and Monahan fearlessly entered a flooded roadway with additional contaminants due to the flooding and the vehicle was leaking toxic fluids," said Patrol Corp. Richard Ayers, who nominated his fellow troopers for this award. "They were in 5-6 feet of water, applied sound safety medical procedures and with the cooperation of bystanders safely removed the driver and saved his life."

Any state employee may nominate another employee from their department for this award. Department directors, deputy directors, division directors and deputy division directors are not eligible.