Lamar First Christian Church members receive Missouri Public Safety Medals for heroic actions

 
(From Gov. Mike Parson)

This morning, Governor Mike Parson awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to a total of 15 first responders and 7 civilians for heroic and live-saving actions during 2020.

The awards are Missouri’s highest recognition for first responders acting during critical incidents.

 
The civilians, who include a 12-year-old boy who performed a life-saving rescue at age 11, were honored for taking on harrowing risks during emergencies to save lives and support first responders.

 

“This ceremony is an annual reminder of our heroic first responders who bravely serve the citizens of Missouri at great risk to themselves each day,” Governor Parson said. “We are inspired by the actions of these 22 outstanding Missourians. They acted selflessly, putting the safety of others and protecting the public good above concern for their own wellbeing. We appreciate and honor these first responders and civilians for their courageous actions that ended threats and saved lives during extremely challenging emergencies."

Family members and colleagues were in attendance for the awards presentation during the Jefferson City ceremony.

Among those receiving medals were Lendon J. Blanchard, Evan G. Clements and Christopher A. Runion, who were nominated by the Lamar Police Department for their heroics following a shooting the evening of August 1 in a Carthage hotel.

A gunman had killed one victim and shot another before stealing a car at knifepoint and fleeing the area. There was an extensive search.

Just before 8 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, Lamar Police Officer John Simpson responded to a call for a suspicious person in the First Christian Church of Lamar. A man meeting the description of the killer was inside the church.

Officer Simpson attempted to detain the man, giving the command to place his hands behind his back and turn around. Instead, the suspected murderer responded, “I’m not going back, I can’t go back.”

He then reached inside the waistband of his pants and pulled out a knife.

Officer Simpson tried to restrain the man, and they crashed into a bookshelf and then to the floor where they continued to struggle. Simpson sustained a cut to his hand.

Church members Lendon Blanchard, Evan Clements, and Christopher Runion all immediately went to the officer’s aid. All three assisted the officer as he struggled with the suspected killer, grabbing the assailant’s arms to prevent further injury to the officer.

Despite the risks to themselves, Blanchard, Clements, and Runion bravely and selflessly came to the aid of Officer Simpson and prevented further injury to the officer. With their assistance, Officer Simpson was able to take the murder suspect into custody.