IACP/Motorola Trooper of the Year

Past Winners »

2011 Trooper of the Year

Sergeant Adam R. Kosheba
Pennsylvania State Police
June 29, 2011: As part of a task force organized to locate and apprehend an individual wanted on a number of serious charges by the Pennsylvania State Police, Sergeant Adam Kosheba was working alongside other state police troopers, deputy U.S. marshals, and the local sheriff’s office in Berks County. After having discharged a firearm during a dispute with family members, the suspect reportedly fled to a family cabin in a rural area. The task force eventually cornered the suspect, who, after refusing to surrender, opened fire on officers. Several rounds struck and downed Deputy Sheriff Kyle Pagerly, and, as exposed officers were coming to his aid, Sergeant Kosheba fired and fatally wounded the suspect before he was able to get off any additional rounds. Sergeant Kosheba and another deputy immediately began to render medical aid to Deputy Pagerly, a task which proved to be very difficult because of a protective K-9 defending his handler. The two were repeatedly bitten by the dog, but with the assistance of other officers were eventually able to get the wounded deputy to a patrol vehicle. Because of the remote location and the difficult terrain, EMS personnel could not be quickly brought on scene. Sergeant Kosheba, a former paramedic, provided aid in the rear of the vehicle before reaching a medical helicopter. Tragically, Deputy Pagerly went into cardiac arrest while being airlifted and was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Sergeant Adam Kosheba displayed unparalleled bravery and commitment during this incident. His selfless and courageous actions undoubtedly saved the lives of other task force members who were ambushed by a dangerous and armed fugitive. In addition, his tireless and heroic efforts to save the life of Deputy Pagerly were beyond reproach and demonstrated his dedication and commitment.

2011 Finalists

Trooper Derek Werner
Montana Highway Patrol
March 11, 2011: At 11:38 a.m. on routine patrol on U.S. Highway 2 State Trooper Derek Werner came upon a crash involving four vehicles. After notifying dispatch, he quickly went to check on the occupants of the four vehicles. The weather that day was cold, snowy, and windy; visibility was nearly zero, and temperatures were around -30 degrees Fahrenheit. The vehicles involved in the crash were in a hazardous location on the highway between guardrails and posed a serious danger to other highway motorists approaching the scene. As Trooper Werner began to triage the injured vehicle occupants from the initial accident, a number of other vehicles crashed into the scene. One of these vehicles in particular was a heavy commercial vehicle that quickly created more damage and injury at the scene. Trooper Werner successfully directed ambulatory individuals to an area of safety and took two infants to his patrol cruiser to shelter them from the harsh weather conditions. He then returned to continue treating the other injured victims in what was a chaotic and dangerous scene, risking his own safety in the process before other emergency services personnel could arrive. Eventually as other officers began to arrive and assist, and Trooper Werner then returned to those individuals in the safe area and began to organize them into groups small enough to fit in squad cars in order to stay warm. He then assisted loading the most severely injured individuals into arriving ambulances and other available transportation. Overall, this incident involved a total of ten vehicles and eighteen individuals, several of whom were seriously injured.

Trooper Derek Werner’s immediate and instinctual reaction to this grave and challenging situation likely prevented further injury and saved lives. His bravery and unselfish dedication in providing aid to his fellow citizens, all while putting his own safety on the line, is extremely commendable.

Trooper Dwayne Stanford
Tennessee Highway Patrol
September 28, 2011: While returning home from an interdiction training session in Nashville, Tennessee State Trooper Dwayne Stanford conducted a routine traffic stop on a vehicle for an apparent registration violation. During his interaction with the female driver, Trooper Stanford found her answers to be evasive and deceptive, and his training and experience caused him to become more suspicious of the other vehicle occupant. He first secured the driver in the rear of his patrol vehicle and then proceeded to interview the other male passenger. Ultimately, the information given to Trooper Stanford by the passenger was inconsistent with that given to him by the driver. Trooper Stanford then asked the passenger to exit the vehicle, and as he did so, the passenger pulled a handgun, fired at Trooper Stanford, and struck him in the chest. Trooper Stanford was able to draw his service weapon, back away and return fire, subduing the threat from his assailant. He immediately called for EMS for the armed man, although he did not survive. Even though Trooper Stanford was wearing his body armor, which included an additional chest plate he had added himself, he received a laceration and bruising to his chest from the gunshot. It was later discovered that both subjects were wanted in Kentucky for arson and in Tennessee for armed robbery and kidnapping.

During this incident, Trooper Stanford displayed all of the qualities of a disciplined, well-trained law enforcement officer. His attention to detail, continued dedication to his training, and ability to draw from on-the-job experiences very much dictated the outcome of this violent encounter. A trooper of lesser ability and training likely would not have survived this incident. Trooper Dwayne Stanford embodies the character, bravery, ideals, and integrity of a Tennessee state trooper.

Corporal D. Mark Hedrick
Missouri State Highway Patrol
November 20, 2011: Notified by radio of a possible location of a suspect wanted for various violent crimes, Corporal D. Mark Hedrick enlisted the help of Trooper Nick Smith and the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department to devise a plan to search and apprehend the individual. After spotting a truck that matched the description of the suspect’s vehicle in a wooded area approximately 25 yards from the roadway, Corporal Hedrick and Trooper Smith approached the vehicle with weapons drawn. After initially complying with orders and placing his hands in the air, the suspect then engaged the transmission, spun the tires, and drove towards Corporal Hedrick in an effort to run him over. Corporal Hedrick fired his rifle into the front passenger’s side tire of the truck in an attempt to disable it, and as the driver swerved toward him, he again fired into the cab and moved to avoid being struck. Soon the suspect was able to get his truck back to the road, and Corporal Hedrick and Deputy Smith ran back to their vehicles to pursue him. After failing to negotiate a curve, the suspect then drove off of the roadway and struck a ditch. As he stopped his vehicle, Corporal Hedrick heard shots fired and ordered the suspect to show his hands. Seeing a handgun in the suspect’s hand and fearing for his life and that of Trooper Smith’s, Corporal Hedrick fired at the non-compliant suspect who sustained mortal wounds.

Corporal D. Mark Hedrick’s preemptive planning no doubt better prepared him and Trooper Smith for this violent confrontation with the suspect. He demonstrated the actions of a courageous and dedicated law enforcement officer.