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Two Honored By State For Saving Lives During Duck Tragedy

​October 10, 2019
Isaac Estes-Jones


Governor Mike Parson awarded Missouri Public Safety medals earlier this week to 18 first responders and six civilians. One first responder and one civilian were honored for their life saving actions the night of the duck boat tragedy on Table Rock Lake last summer. Sergeant Shawn Fields received the Medal of Valor and Marlin Matchett received the Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award at a ceremony on Monday, October 7, in Jefferson City.


Sergeant Shawn Fields, of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office, was serving as a security guard on the Showboat Branson Belle when Stretch Duck 07 took on water and started to sink on July 19, 2018. Ultimately, 17 people lost their lives in that tragedy.


Sgt. Fields was awarded the Medal of Valor, “Missouri’s highest award recognizing public safety officers who exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life,” according to a press release from the state.


“Sgt. Fields was selected by the Medal of Valor Review Board, which selected him for the award based on his actions while he was working an extra duty security shift on the Showboat Branson Belle. Governor Parson reviewed and approved the board’s selection,” said Mike O’Connell, Communications Director for the Missouri Department of Public Safety.


Fields was selected because, “Sergeant Fields was off-duty and working security at the Showboat Branson Belle on July 19, 2019. At approximately 7 p.m., while Sergeant Fields was on an upper level entry platform, a severe storm with near-hurricane force winds quickly developed.


“Observing that a tourist duck boat was in trouble as it attempted to return to shore against the 70 mile per hour winds and heavy waves, Fields ran down a set of stairs and across the deck to the back of the showboat, positioning himself beside the paddle wheel. Sergeant Fields notified dispatch that the duck boat was sinking and that he was going into the water in a rescue attempt. Fields removed his duty gear and handed it to a Branson Belle employee. He then stripped down to his pants, grabbed a life jacket and, without concern for his own safety, dived into the turbulent water. Fields helped pull multiple people to safety and, unfortunately, removed several victims who did not survive the tragedy in which 17 people died. In the midst of a dangerous, unrelenting storm, Sergeant Fields took immediate and decisive action. Without specialized equipment, he bravely risked his own life by jumping into roiling Table Rock Lake to save lives,” says the Governor’s office.


Also recognized at the event was Marlin Matchett, who received the Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award for his actions on July 19.


The Public Safety Civilian Partnership award is given to a civilian who has provided valuable or courageous assistance to members of a Missouri public safety agency in an emergency situation. He was nominated by the Taney County Ambulance District.


According to the press release, Matchett “was on the Showboat Branson Belle working as part of the first aid team when a severe storm with high winds and heavy waves sank a tourist duck boat near the showboat. Mr. Matchett, a trained paramedic with decades of EMS experience, quickly called for additional help. He then began rescuing victims by pulling them from the water onto the showboat. Using his extensive EMS experience, he helped triage the injured and also coordinated and directed other civilians who were working to assist the terrified victims. When a young victim was in cardiac arrest, Mr. Matchett performed CPR until ambulance personnel arrived and took over the desperate and ultimately unsuccessful effort. During a catastrophic event, Mr. Matchett heroically worked to help save multiple lives.”


Others recognized


Several more first responders and civilians were recognized for the heroism exhibited throughout the state in 2018. The awards are the state’s highest recognitions for first responders working as individuals and as members of teams during critical incidents. The civilians were honored for taking on extreme risks during critical incidents to support first responders and the safety of the public.


“The Missouri first responders we honored today performed heroically, decisively and with great skill in life-threatening situations, risking their own safety to save lives and protect the public,” Governor Parson said. “They are outstanding examples of the difference committed public safety professionals make in communities across Missouri.”


“The private citizens we honored performed extraordinarily courageous acts,” Governor Parson continued. “They confronted violence, risked being shot to support law enforcement officers, entered a burning building to save a fire victim and performed heroic, life-saving assistance during the Branson duck boat tragedy. It was truly an honor to stand with all of these heroes today.”


Family members and colleagues were present for the awards presentation during the Jefferson City ceremony.


Other awardees of the Medal of Valor were Matthew W. Neely, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, for his role in a pursuit and shots fired incident in Ridgeway; and Jeremy E. Bratton and Kyle B. Schmidt, of the St. Charles Police Department, who “fearlessly engaged a violent, heavily-armed gunman suspected in four killings.”


The Governor’s Medal was also given out at this week’s event. The Governor’s Medal is awarded to groups of public safety officers in recognition of acts above and beyond the call of normal duty during a critical incident in which the collective performance of the group was essential to the successful resolution of the incident. Recipients were Cody B. Ross, Jason M. Huff, Cade A. Thompson, Andrew W. Fritzinger, Missouri Department of Corrections; Richard W. Bashor, Cameron Police Department; and Bradley R. Muck, of Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop H; and Daniel B. Tscherny, Jason G. Bogema, Tony C. Fields, Joshua W. Bravestone, Zachary L. Keller, Garett L. Olson, Tyler R. Nevins, and Dustin C. Matney, of Springfield Fire Department. 


The five other citizens who received the Public Safety Civilian Partnership award were Wesley D. Hilton, who nominated by Clinton Police Department; Catherine J. Stepps, nominated by St. Louis Fire Department; and Tyler Preston, Gabriel Gowen, and Jordan Lambay, nominated by Kirksville Police Department.
From left to right, Tim Gideon, Chief Deputy; Doug Rader, Stone County Sheriff; Shawn Fields; and Steve Verheyen, Director of Operations for Reeds Spring School District.
Sgt. Shawn Fields receives the Medal of Valor from Governor Mike Parson during a ceremony on Monday, October 7, in Jefferson City. Fields was recognized for the life saving efforts he made the night of the duck boat tragedy on Table Rock Lake. Fields is a member of the Stone County Sheriff’s Office and a resource officer for Reeds Spring Schools.
Marlin Matchett receives the Public Safety Civilian Partnership Award from Governor Parson. Matchett was working on the Branson Belle the night of the duck boat tragedy. He helped pull victims out of the lake and administered CPR to a young victim until ambulance personnel arrived. He was nominated by the Taney County Ambulance District.
Note: Select any image to view full size without the caption overlay.

All content copyright Stone County Publishing Co. Inc.
The Crane Chronicle/Stone County Republican
P.O. Box 401, Crane, Missouri 65633
Phone: 417-723-5248      Fax: 417-723-8490
  • Home
  • Inside This Week's Issue
    • Bill Timmsen appointed as new police chief in Crane
    • Galena Bears take first place at Pleasant Hope two years in a row
    • New Planning and Zoning member confirmed by Reeds Spring City Council
    • Pirates take first at 54th annual Crane Invitational
    • Drury Announces Fall 2020 Dean's List
    • Disappointing last week for the Lady Bears
    • Reeds Spring Sports Highlights
    • Reeds Spring School Foundation Awards Grants to Teachers
    • Twelve Reeds Spring Teachers Earn Power Up Grants
    • Students Success Advisor Speaks to Rotary Club
  • This Week's Issue
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