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| Missouri State Water Patrol Officer Frederick Guthrie, Jr. has been selected as the November, 2007 Employee of the Month for the Department of Public Safety. Officer Guthrie was selected for this award for his actions of selfless service that saved the lives of others who were caught in a severe thunderstorm on Smithville Lake on June 22, 2007.
On June 22, 2007 at approximately 10:30pm, a severe thunderstorm hit Smithville Lake. The storm contained severe lightning, heavy rain, and winds of up to 60 miles per hour causing waves of 6 feet in height. As the storm progressed, several boats were swamped or capsized near the Route W Bridge, which Officer Guthrie was in route to provide assistance by patrol boat. However, when Officer Guthrie rounded a bend into the Little Platte arm of the Lake, the full force of the wind and waves hit his patrol boat. Officer Guthrie decided that the boat could not take the water and decided to return to his marina. A few moments later, Officer Guthrie was radioed that a woman thrown from one of the boats, not wearing a life preserver, had drifted to a buoy and was clinging to the buoy for her life. Risking his own life in a boat that was not designed for such conditions, Officer Guthrie negotiated several miles of exceptionally rough water to reach her. By the time he reached the lady, she had no strength and was unable to get into the patrol boat without assistance. Officer Guthrie retrieved her from the water, saving her from certain death, and took her to shore to receive medical care. Once Officer Guthrie got the lady to safety, he returned to the area where the boats had capsized to look for others until all victims were accounted for.
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