Nebraska State Patrol Troopers
Timothy Flick and Jeffery Van Stelton have been honored with the Military Order
of the Purple Heart (MOPH) "First Responder Citation." Flick and Van
Stelton were each presented the award Monday, during a ceremony at
the Nebraska State Fair in Grand Island.
Both Flick and Van
Stelton were nominated for the honor by retired NSP sergeant and MOPH member
Tom Nutt.
Flick, a 15-year
veteran of the agency, assigned to Troop E- Scottsbluff was honored for his
role in the 14 plus hour standoff in Alliance. During the June 12 standoff Flick along with two Alliance Police Officers were injured by gunfire
from an armed suspect. Flick suffered gunshot wounds to the left side
of his body.
Van Stelton, a six-year
veteran of the Nebraska State Patrol assigned to Troop D-North Platte was
honored after surviving a fiery crash with an unlicensed driver. Van
Stelton, who was responding to a call for assistance, was traveling westbound
on Highway 34 near Stratton in Hitchcock County when the crash occurred. He
suffered serious injuries to his pelvis, legs and arm.
"The actions and courage demonstrated
by these officers under stressful situations is something we can all be
thankful for," said Colonel David Sankey, superintendent of the Nebraska State
Patrol. "It is times like these that highlight the importance of training for
all types of situations. We are very proud of those honored and are pleased to
see them back on the job."
The "First
Responder Citation" was initiated as a way to convey the Military Order of the
Purple Heart's respect and appreciation for the sacrifices of first responders,
to include law enforcement and firefighters.
Alliance
Police Officers Kirk Felker, 43, and Matt Shannon, 35, both of Alliance were
also honored. Felker and Shannon were also wounded by gunfire during the
standoff in Alliance on June 12.
