2013 Sgt. Douglas J. Hedrick

Sergeant Douglas J. Hedrick, Troop A, embodies public service. He joined the Patrol in 1993, with his first assignment being Troop A, Zone 14, Bates County. He now serves as the zone supervisor for Troop A, Zone 2, Platte County. Over the past 21 years, Sergeant Hedrick has enforced the law with compassion, fairness and integrity.

Sergeant Hedrick serves his community in many ways. He is active in his church, planning and providing security, and volunteering to perform yard maintenance for them. He helped establish a Student Alliance Program at the Northland Career Center Vocational and Technical School in 2009, and continues to be part of that program. He also assists Skills USA students prepare projects for competition. Sergeant Hedrick organized a safety operation entitled "Trooper on a Bus" after the Platte City School District expressed concerns about motorists ignoring extended school bus stop arms. School district officials and local media representatives rode with responding officers who stopped motorists for this traffic violation.

Sergeant Hedrick regularly writes articles for the Platte City Landmark newspaper covering important safety-related topics and changes in the law. He helps coach a youth baseball team of eight and nine year old boys in Platte City. He established a "Honk and Holler" program through the Salvation Army which distributes food to homeless individuals in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Sergeant Hedrick took this program one step further by collecting used coats and distributing them in the same manner.

Annually, he volunteers for "Shop with a Cop" and serves as the troop coordinator for Special Olympics. He coordinates the selling of T-shirts, a "Tip A Trooper" event where troopers wait tables at the Country Cookin' Café in Platte City, and attends the Special Olympics Winter Games in Weston, Missouri, to present medals to athletes and to foster friendships. Sergeant Hedrick also participates in and plans the annual Trooper Fred Guthrie Memorial Golf Tournament. Originally, the tournament proceeds assisted the Guthrie family. Now, these proceeds are shared with a scholarship fund at Platte County High School and other law enforcement families experiencing hardship.

Sergeant Hedrick is a volunteer at heart. His service, both on and off duty, positively impacts his community. The MASTERS Public Service Award was created to emphasize the importance of public service. The award honors a member whose actions strengthen the Patrol's motto of "Service and Protection". In 2013, that member was Sergeant Douglas J. Hedrick, Troop A.