On Tuesday, August 30, 2022, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G held a Memorial Dedication Ceremony for the fallen officers of the troop. The memorial stands before the main entrance to MSHP Troop G Headquarters located at 1226 W. Business US 60 in Willow Springs, Missouri. The memorial honors three fallen troopers in particular: Trooper Kelly L. Poynter, Sergeant C. Dwayne Graham Jr., and Trooper Donald K. “Kevin” Floyd.
Speakers at the memorial dedication were Troop G Commanding Officer Captain Bruce D. Fiske, Superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Eric Olson, Lieutenant Governor of Missouri Mike Kehoe, and Project Coordinator & The MASTERS Troop G director Emeritus Jack Pahlmann.
Right side of memorial – Floyd Family: Tpr. Floyd’s mother, Darlena Young, son-in-law Tpr. Jacob Sellers, widow Cheril Floyd, daughter Telena Sellers, and step-father, Dan Young
During the dedication, Mr. Pahlmann recognized the families of the fallen troops. The Poynter and Floyd families were in attendance. The Graham Family was unable to attend.
The Fallen Troopers
Trooper Kelly L. Poynter was killed on January 18, 2002, while working a traffic crash on US Highway 63 in Texas County, two miles south of Houston. Trooper. Poynter was investigating a vehicle crash when another vehicle, operated by an intoxicated driver, struck and killed him
Sergeant C. Dwayne Graham Jr. was killed at his residence at approximately 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 20, 2005. A passing motorist found Sgt. Graham lying on the ground near his patrol car still wearing his uniform. It was determined Sgt. Graham had been ambushed by Lance Shockley, shot by a rifle and a shotgun, in an attempt to hinder a criminal investigation Sgt. Graham was conducting on Shockley. Sgt. Graham’s residence was just outside Van Buren, Missouri in rural Carter County within Troop G.
Trooper Donald K. “Kevin” Floyd was killed in the line of duty September 22, 2005. Trooper Floyd was working speed enforcement with one of the Patrol’s aircraft, and had stopped an eastbound vehicle for a traffic violation on US Highway 60 in Texas County, approximately one mile east of Missouri Route MM. Trooper Floyd had made contact with the driver of the vehicle and had turned to walk back to his Patrol vehicle when he was struck by a pickup truck being operated by a distracted driver traveling east on US 60. He was airlifted by Hammons Lifeline to St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where he succumbed to his injuries at 1:33 p.m.
Significant Donors to the Memorial
The following are significant donors that Troop G give special recognition to:
- Bartlett Moving Services LLC – Willow Springs, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. Carl Watson – Houston, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. Clifford W. Cumins – Van Buren, MO.
- Mr. Clyde Steward – West Plains, MO.
- Coastal Systems, Inc. – Willow Springs, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. David L. Bailey – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. Dan Cargill – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. David Montgomery – Willow Springs, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. David F. Nanneman – Cabool, MO.
- G & W Foods – Willow Springs, MO.
- Hirsch Feed and Farm Supply, Inc. – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. James E. McNiell – Houston, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. Jack Pahlmann – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. Kevin G. Poe – Roby, MO.
- Mr. Mark A. Lowe – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. Michael S. Corl – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. & Mrs. Michael Shockley – Rogersville, MO.
- Ms. Michelle L. Miller – West Plains, MO.
- Mr & Mrs. Michael Pace – West Plains, MO.
- Optimist Club of West Plains – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. Radell Emmerson – Mountain Grove, MO.
- Ms. Roxanne Montgomery – Chandler, MO.
- Simmons Bank – West Plains, MO.
- Mr. Van A. Kelly – Norwood, MO.
- West Plains Bank & Trust Company – West Plains, MO.
