Purple Heart Award was presented to Trooper Cory M. Stauffer of Troop I, Missouri Highway Patrol

The Highway Patrol last Friday handed out 35 awards at a Patrol Awards Ceremony in Columbia. A Purple Heart Award was presented to Trooper Cory M. Stauffer of Troop I. On the morning of February 10th of last year, Trooper Stauffer was patrolling Interstate 44 in Laclede County. Due to a severe winter storm, roads were partially covered with snow and ice. When a vehicle passed his location at a high rate of speed, Trooper Stauffer initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle exited the interstate and pulled into a parking lot. After contacting the driver and as he was returning to his patrol vehicle for stop sticks, Trooper Stauffer heard the Honda start to accelerate. The vehicle began skidding on the ice and rotating toward him. Trooper Stauffer jumped on the roof of the vehicle to avoid being struck, but the Honda was driven into a concrete post in the parking lot, partially lodging Trooper Stauffer between the Honda and the post. Its driver fled the scene on foot. Trooper Stauffer, in extreme pain and lying in a frozen parking lot, was able to utilize his portable radio and provide a report to responding officers, who later captured the suspect.
Stauffer suffered a broken pelvic bone in two locations and sustained an injury to his knee. He endured weeks of intense physical therapy, and his injuries required him to be off work for nearly six months. He has returned to active duty.