The Missouri Chapter of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials is proud to recognize Communications Senior Operator Michelle Hagler, Communications Operator Meghan Ohlensehln, Communications Operator Kimber Marlow and Communications Operator Jacy Brooks of the St. Joseph Communications Center along with Communications Operator I Kristen Bartles and Communications Operator III Melanie Stallsworth of the Missouri State Highway Patrol – Troop H in St. Joseph as Missouri Teammates in Action!
On March 15, 2021, at approximately 1540 hours (3:40 PM), the St. Joseph Communications Center received information of a home invasion at a residence in their city. Three males entered the residence, took a two-year-old at gunpoint and fled the scene. St Joseph Operator Jacy Brooks worked the county radio which was the main frequency where all traffic regarding the incident was being relayed.
Missouri State Highway Patrol – Troop H Communications Operator Kristen Bartles received the initial call from St Joseph Communications at approximately 1620 hours (4:20 PM), quickly obtained critical suspect and vehicle information and Troop H Operator Stallsworth dispatched the information assigning troopers to the search. Operator Bartles immediately attached the CAD entry to Missouri State Highway Patrol – Troop F, the state authority for issuing alerts. Her quick actions allowed Troop F operators to begin the process of pulling information together for an AMBER Alert. St Joseph Operator Kimber Marlow made the official AMBER alert request by phone with Troop F Communications to establish the necessary qualifying information required for the issue of an alert.
The St Joseph Operators answered several incoming calls from their Supervisors for updates and calls from citizens regarding vehicle sightings and tips, as well as other unrelated calls while working their respective radio channels. Operator Meghan Ohlensehlen worked Police Department Channel 1 coordinating St Joseph officers who checked multiple reports of vehicle sightings. Senior Operator Michelle Hagler, working Police Department Channel 2, swiftly made the NCIC entry for the missing child and pinged multiple suspect cell phone numbers to find a possible location.
When contacted after the incident, Troop H Operator Bartles said she learned in her training at the Patrol Communications Academy that it was imperative to let Troop F know of any incident that could be an AMBER Alert immediately, because each moment is critical. The capabilities of these teams; to rely on previous training, obtain critical information, dispatch it to responders and forward it to Troop F immediately were crucial. Due in part to the rapid exchange of information from St Joseph and the quick thinking and actions of Troop H operators, an AMBER Alert was issued within minutes. Within 30-minutes of the AMBER Alert being issued, the suspect turned himself in to the St. Joseph Police Department with the unharmed child.
Missouri APCO is proud to recognize these St Joseph and Troop H Public Safety Communications professionals as Missouri Teammates in Action.