DPS Team Members of the Month
October Sworn Team Member of the Month
Lyndon Carson
Trooper
Missouri State Highway Patrol
October Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month
Cory Boatright
Motor Vehicle Inspector
Missouri State Highway Patrol
Trooper Lyndon Carson, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop C, is the DPS Sworn Team Member of the Month for October 2025 for the comprehensiveness of his investigation of a motor vehicle crash that killed a pedestrian. The investigation, which he led, identified the driver, who had a standing deportation order through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
On June 21, the Patrol was called to a crash involving a pedestrian and in which the motorist fled. There was virtually no evidence at the scene. Lyndon combed the area looking for video cameras and found one that captured the crash. Troop C’s highway investigative team was able to obtain a registration for the vehicle. Lyndon then found the person who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash and interviewed him through a Spanish interpreter. The interview led to the driver’s arrest.
Trooper Carson, who joined the Patrol in July 2022, leads his zone in DWI arrests and is already a resource for troopers working all kinds of investigations. His excellent work on this case is typical of the initiative, determination and investigative skill he routinely demonstrates.
Cory Boatright, a Motor Vehicle Inspector with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop D, is the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for October 2025 for his decisiveness and leadership displayed in the rescue of a motorist from a burning vehicle.
On July 2, as Cory was driving to work, he noticed a car tumble down an embankment, land on its roof and catch fire. Cory called 911 and crossed a highway to get to the scene. He tried but could not open the car doors because of damage from the crash. Another motorist stopped and provided Cory with a fire extinguisher. As Cory fought the engine fire, he asked the motorist to look for anything that could be used to break out car windows. Other motorists stopped and pulled the victim from the vehicle. Cory checked the victim’s condition and relayed information to dispatch.
When the engine fire reignited, Cory used an extinguisher from an arriving Carterville Police officer to continue fighting the fire, preventing it from spreading before the victim could be transported to a hospital.
When a man was trapped in a burning, overturned vehicle, Cory acted selflessly and swiftly to assist the victim and prevented further injuries or worse.
Congratulations to both Team Members of the Month! You have set an outstanding example for your co-workers throughout the Department of Public Safety.
The Missouri Department of Public Safety. Many Missions. One Team.