Governor Parson has honored two first responders who were at the duck boat tragedy and the Springfield Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team.
Marlin Matchett from Monett, a trained paramedic, was on the Showboat Branson Belle serving as a first aid worker when the duck boat started taking on water.
He pulled people from the water and helped perform CPR on the victims
He was given the Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award.
Stone County Sheriff’s Sergeant Shawn Fields, who was also working on the Branson Belle, was given the Medal of Valor for pulling the victims from the water.
He jumped into the water wearing only a life-jacket battling 10 foot waves as he tried to save people.
And the Springfield Fire Department’s Water Rescue Team received the Governor’s Medal for its efforts to find Greene County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Roberts, who drowned when flooding swept away his patrol car in Fair Grove.
They responded to the scene to try to find Roberts, working in the dark as a team until he was located.
Today, we awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to 18 first responders & 6 civilians. These are the state’s highest recognitions for the heroic and life-saving actions of first responders & civilians during critical incidents. pic.twitter.com/4uPX2uezkT
— Governor Mike Parson (@GovParsonMO) October 7, 2019
