DPS Team Members of the Month
April Sworn Team Members of the Month
John Malcolm
Senior Commissioned Investigator
Laura Shivers
Senior Commissioned Investigator
Division of Fire Safety
April Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month
Amanda Wilbers
State Disaster Recovery Coordinator
State Emergency Management Agency
Senior Commissioned Investigators John Malcolm and Laura Shivers, of the Division of Fire Safety, are the DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for April 2026 for their meticulous, complex arson investigation of a house fire that began in 2025.
On July 6, 2025, John and Laura responded to the residential fire in Salem. Based on their investigation of the scene, it was clear that the fire had been set. The investigation was complicated by the fact it involved a local public servant.
The intensive follow-up operation involved multiple subpoenas and search warrants and uncovered video of the suspects allegedly acquiring materials to ignite the fire. John and Laura produced compelling evidence of a conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, leading to the suspects being charged with second-degree arson, forgery, and first-degree property damage.
Throughout the investigation, John demonstrated exceptional leadership balancing his duties as the lead investigator with his role as a field training officer for Investigator Shivers. Throughout their work on the case, John and Laura maintained strict professionalism and objectivity to ensure that no one was above the law.
The charges in this case are mere accusations and not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
The Department of Public Safety has named the State Emergency Management Agency’s Amanda Wilbers as the DPS Non-Sworn Team Member of the Month for April after Amanda took on many additional responsibilities in her position as Missouri’s State Disaster Recovery Coordinator over the last year.
In just three months in 2025, Missouri experienced five federally declared major disasters – more than any other state – and Amanda has helped navigate recovery efforts for Missouri communities across the state. Because of the extent of the damage, Amanda’s normal duties were expanded to include new projects SEMA had never coordinated before. Taking the initiative, she developed standard operating procedures and helped create a project management system and protocols to ensure smooth operations and defined roles. Her efforts to build these projects from the ground up set SEMA up for long-term success and earned high praise from agency leadership.
Because SEMA’s public relations director was on parental leave in late 2025 and early 2026, Amanda also took on additional duties assisting manage media inquiries and Missouri Sunshine Law requests. Amanda often had to work nights and weekends to meet the extensive workload. She met each new responsibility with a positive attitude and a commitment to excellence and made a difference for her DPS colleagues and communities across the state.
Congratulations to all the 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.