In September 2026, Missouri honored a group of first responders and ordinary citizens for extraordinary acts of heroism in 2025.
Their stories are incredible. And they're worth telling.
So over the coming weeks, LakeExpo will be sharing them, one at a time, using summaries provided by the Missouri Department of Public Safety.
Consider this our salute to some remarkable Missourians.
MISSOURI HERO: Justin D. Hedrick
On the night of February 23, 2025, Trooper Hedrick was in South St. Louis County when he heard radio traffic that a sedan was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-55.
Hedrick entered northbound I-55 from Butler Hill Road and observed the sedan approaching him traveling in the wrong direction.
He activated his lights and siren and used his air horn to attempt to slow down the wrong-way driver. He then reduced his own speed and, as the vehicle was about to pass him, intentionally struck the driver side of the wrong-way vehicle with the front of his patrol car.
The maneuver forced the wrong-way vehicle off the roadway and disabled both vehicles.
The driver was arrested for DWI.
Trooper Hedrick suffered a concussion and injured wrist. Trooper Hedrick selflessly and unhesitatingly placed himself directly in the path of an out of control wrecking ball to protect the public.
