On Wednesday, March 19, 2014, in a private ceremony at West Virginia State Police Headquarters, Colonel C. R. “Jay” Smithers presented awards to uniformed and civilian members of the West Virginia State Police. The names of the recipients and narratives detailing their actions are listed below.
“These awards provide sterling examples as to why the State Police is West Virginia’s preeminent law enforcement agency,” said Secretary Joseph Thornton of the Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety. “I proudly congratulate each recipient.”
Corporal Ronnie M. Gaskins, of the Morgantown Detachment (Superintendent’s Award) – Corporal Gaskins is currently stationed in Morgantown and presently holds the position of “detachment investigator” wherein he is assigned and manages many major and sensitive investigations.
Corporal Gaskins handled many investigations during calendar year 2013. The most notable investigation involved a missing teenager, Skylar Neese. Corporal Gaskins spent the vast majority of his time during calendar year 2013 working on the Skylar Neese investigation wherein the teenage victim, Neese, was reported as missing to the Star City Police Department. Gaskins worked tirelessly with local and federal agencies obtaining subpoenas and search warrants for phone records, computers, weapons, Facebook content and social media. Gaskins developed two juvenile suspects, Rachel Shoaf and Sheila Eddy, through these subpoenas and search warrants and countless interviews. He utilized a wide variety of investigative techniques and skills during this case. The stress of the investigation eventually led to Shoaf confessing to the murder of Skylar Neese. She admitted that they kidnapped Neese and traveled to a remote wooded area near Brave, PA where she and Eddy conspired to stab Neese to death. Gaskins and the FBI were able to locate the remains of Neese and her cell phone and were later scientifically able to identify the body and obtain forensic evidence consistent to the stabbing death of the victim. In addition, Neese’s DNA was located in the trunk of Eddy’s vehicle. This investigation eventually led to both suspects being transferred to an adult status and charged with kidnapping, murder and conspiracy to commit murder in Monongalia County, WV. Both of the accused in this case have entered pleas. This was a very high-profile case in Monongalia County, drawing national media attention and ultimately, a documentary was aired on Dateline NBC.
In 2013, Gaskins received several CODIS (Combined DNA Index System) hits with authorities in Allegheny County, PA and the Belle Vernon Detachment of the Pennsylvania State Police. Gaskins and the authorities in Pennsylvania were able to develop a suspect, Larry Barnett. Gaskins cleared this case and helped to resolve several breaking and entering cases in Pennsylvania.
On April 22, 2013, Gaskins responded to a report of an unresponsive infant. After the infant was taken to a local hospital, Gaskins learned that the infant was a victim of Shaken Baby Syndrome. Gaskins also discovered that the infant had both old and new bodily injuries. Gaskins interviewed the infant’s mother, Katti Turner, and her boyfriend, Joshua Vanpelt. During the interviews, Gaskins uncovered two additional juvenile victims who had suffered injuries in the past by the suspects. Gaskins developed sufficient information to charge both Turner and Vanpelt with Child Abuse Resulting in Injury and Child Neglect Resulting in Injury.
During calendar year 2013, Gaskins initiated an embezzlement investigation at the Best Western Hotel in Morgantown. Gaskins interviewed the suspect, Carrie Jefferson, who was an employee of the hotel, and obtained a confession from Jefferson. Gaskins learned that the suspect had refunded monies from the hotel and then transferred the monies to her debit card, and had cashed checks from the Best Western Hotel as well. He also learned that the embezzlement spanned approximately four years and that the suspect obtained approximately $500,000 from the victim. Gaskins developed sufficient evidence to convict the suspect.
In addition to working major investigations and making felony arrests, Gaskins also had time to run a 6.6 K race for a charity event to raise funding for finding a cure for cancer. Furthermore, Gaskins has recently assumed a leadership role with the Troop 1 Crime Scene Response Team.
First Lieutenant Robert Simon, of Elkins Headquarters (Lifesaving Award) – On December 12, 2013, First Lieutenant Robert J. Simon was following a Dodge Daytona on WV Route 57 when a Ford Ranger crossed the center line of the roadway and struck the Daytona head-on at approximately 55 miles per hour. Simon took evasive action to avoid the collision and stopped just prior to impacting the Daytona. Both drivers were entrapped in the wreckage and a fire erupted in the engine compartment of the Daytona. Simon put out the fire and aided the victims of the crash until emergency medical services arrived. Both drivers had to be extricated from their vehicles and were flown to Ruby Memorial Hospital by HealthNet for their extensive injuries. Simon’s quick action in stopping the fire from spreading and rendering first aid ensured that both drivers had the opportunity to survive the accident.
Corporal Daniel W. Burge, of the Parsons Detachment (Lifesaving Award) – On June 28, 2013, Corporal Daniel W. Burge and Trooper First Class J. E. Kopec were performing road patrol on US Route 219 in Tucker County when they came upon a Chrysler PT Cruiser that had just crashed and was overturned. Burge observed an elderly female hanging upside down in the vehicle and due to the constriction of the seatbelt was experiencing difficulty in breathing. Burge climbed in the rear hatch of the vehicle and observed that the female was being asphyxiated due to her own body weight pushing against the seatbelt. Burge supported the victim’s neck and shoulders, and Kopec cut the seatbelt loose and lowered her to the roof allowing her to breathe normally. Upon the arrival of fire and EMS personnel, Burge stayed with the victim to keep her calm and covered her with protective material as she was extricated from the vehicle. The victim of the crash was learned to have had several broken bones and internal bleeding as a result of the crash. Burge’s quick action and disregard for his own safety played a vital role in the lifesaving efforts of the victim in this crash.
Senior Trooper James R. Coburn, of the Welch Detachment (Medal of Valor) – On July 8, 2012, Senior Trooper James R. Coburn overheard radio traffic advising that a suspect had stolen a Bluefield City Police cruiser and was being pursued. Coburn positioned himself to intercept the pursuit and aid the other officers, and moments later the suspect arrived at Coburn’s location. The pursuit ended when the suspect’s vehicle ran off the roadway and was blocked in by pursuing units. The suspect fled on foot and was caught a short distance away by Officers Murray and Gibson of the Bluefield Police Department. A struggle ensued resulting in the suspect gaining control of Murray’s service weapon. Coburn and Gibson attempted to get the suspect under control without success. The suspect was attempting to turn the weapon on Murray, who shouted several times that he was losing control of the weapon. As the suspect attempted to turn the weapon on Murray, Coburn shot the suspect in a precise manner as to not endanger the other officers involved in the close-combat situation. The shot fatally wounded the suspect and ended the struggle. Officers would later learn that the suspect had an extensive criminal history, had fled the state of Florida to avoid prosecution on theft and burglary charges, and had vowed not to be taken into custody by law enforcement again. The actions of Coburn allowed all the officers involved in the incident to return home safely at the end of their shift and exemplify the characteristics of a West Virginia State Trooper.
Senior Trooper Luther R. White, of the Bureau of Criminal Investigations Wheeling (Meritorious Service Medal) – On October 9, 2013, Senior Trooper Luther R. White was on duty in his downtown Wheeling office and heard what he and other officers believed to be gunshots coming from the area of the Federal Building. White observed an unknown assailant firing an assault rifle at the Federal Building. White, along with other Ohio Valley Drug Task Force Officers, ran toward the area where the shooting was occurring. One of the Task Force Officers shot and wounded the assailant who continued to fire toward the building. White and other officers approached the subject, who had become incapacitated on the ground, and handcuffed the subject and secured the subject’s weapons. The assailant was armed with an AK 47 assault rifle and a Glock 9mm pistol. The assailant possessed hundreds of rounds of ammunition and if not for the actions of White and the other involved officers, the assailant may have wounded or killed many innocent persons. White displayed exemplary courage and placed his personal safety at great risk in order to perform his duties in a manner consistent with the meritorious conduct of a West Virginia State Trooper.
Trooper First Class Leslie T. Goldie, Jr., of the Parkway Authority (Meritorious Service Medal) – On July 19, 2013, Senior Trooper Leslie T. Goldie, Jr. was travelling on US 119 in Boone County en route to his assigned area of responsibility on the West Virginia Parkway when he came upon a single-vehicle crash. The vehicle had flipped several times and came to rest on its top. As Goldie approached the vehicle he observed that a small child was still trapped in the overturned wreckage. Senior Trooper Goldie utilized his ASP baton and broke a window on the overturned vehicle. Goldie then crawled inside the vehicle and used his agency-issued knife to cut the seatbelt and free the trapped child. Goldie was then able to extricate the child from the wreckage and pass her to the EMS personnel who were just arriving on scene. Goldie displayed exemplary courage and placed his personal safety at great risk to perform his duties in a manner consistent with the meritorious conduct of a West Virginia State Trooper.
Corporal Andrew S. Loudin, of the Crimes Against Children Unit (Purple Heart) – On May 3, 2012, Corporal Andrew S. Loudin was conducting an investigation into sexual crimes perpetrated against a 12-year-old female resident of Elkins. During the course of the investigation, Loudin gained information that warranted a search of the accused’s residence to gather evidence and search for a camera believed to contain sexually explicit images of the sexually-abused child. During the course of this search, the accused retrieved a .22 caliber pistol and shot Loudin once in the chest and once in the back. Both wounds were near fatal. The accused fled and ultimately took his life after a stand-off with other troopers. Loudin recovered from his wounds and promptly returned to duty in the Crimes Against Children Unit. Loudin acted in a manner consistent with the established high standards of a West Virginia State Trooper and continues to work diligently to protect the children and citizens of this state.
Ms. Alice Workman (Superintendent’s Civilian Award) – Alice Workman is the office assistant for the Williamson Detachment. She began working for the West Virginia State Police in 1977 at the age of 18. Throughout the years, Workman has trained 15 detachment commanders and more than 100 troopers. Workman demonstrates unwavering loyalty, character, and commitment to the West Virginia State Police, and more importantly, to her troopers. Workman was the pillar of support our troopers depended on during the troubling incidents in Mingo County last year. Workman’s work ethic has never wavered during her 36 years. She has endured many incidents including floods, bank robbers and homicide investigations. Workman is now known as “Mom” among her troopers.
Ms. Patricia Fisher (Superintendent’s Civilian Award) – Patricia Fisher is the office assistant for the South Charleston Detachment. She began working for the West Virginia State Police in 1977 as a driver’s examiner at the Winfield Detachment. In 1990, Fisher transferred to South Charleston and retired in 2009. However, she returned, in a part-time capacity, to assist with the daily operations of the South Charleston Detachment’s office. During calendar year 2013, Fisher worked on countless transcriptions for multiple detachments throughout Troop 4. Fisher’s experience and knowledge is irreplaceable and she continues to educate our current staff — including our new troopers and supervisors. Fisher has become a mother figure to many that know and depend on her.
Ms. Angelina Metzger (Superintendent’s Civilian Award) – Angie Metzger has been with the West Virginia State Police for 25 years, her career beginning at the Academy. While working, she obtained an associate’s degree in accounting and soon transferred to the Accounting Section. In April 2013, Metzger was promoted to Assistant Comptroller and faced many new challenges during the transition. One of the greatest challenges Metzger has confronted is the state’s OASIS project. Phase I of OASIS, which was the submission of the budget, was implemented last September. The agency’s online submission of the budget was successful due to her hard work and perseverance. Metzger spent many hours, including weekends, to complete this project.
Ms. Deborah Beckner (Superintendent’s Civilian Award) – Debby Beckner has been with the West Virginia State Police since November of 1969. She redefines what it means to be dependable, loyal and dedicated. She represents the West Virginia State Police at all levels of government and is well respected around the country. Beckner is the cornerstone in communications for the state and criminal justice community.
Any questions or requests for interviews should be directed to Lieutenant Michael Baylous at 304-746-2198.
