From staff reports
news@joplinglobe.com
ANDERSON, Mo. — A Missouri highway patrolman has been awarded the state’s Medal of Valor for his response to a shooting incident last year.
Trooper Grant Hendrix received the honor from Gov. Matt Blunt during a ceremony Thursday in Anderson.
Hendrix was on patrol March 16, 2007, in McDonald County when he received word that Adam Bridgewater, 21, allegedly had fired upon and wounded two police officers in Neosho and was in flight. After Hendrix spotted Bridgewater’s vehicle southeast of Neosho, he gave chase and followed him down a dirt road. There, Bridgewater allegedly shot at Hendrix five times. Hendrix returned fire.
When Bridgewater fled again, Hendrix resumed the pursuit. Hendrix lost Bridgewater’s trail, which later was picked up by a pair of McDonald County sheriff’s deputies who spotted Bridgewater’s vehicle. Bridgewater allegedly fired on those officers and rammed his truck into a patrol car before he again fled.
A manhunt continued until Bridgewater was arrested near Granby.
Blunt said Hendrix’s efforts helped lead to Bridgewater’s arrest.
Bridgewater faces eight criminal charges, including four counts of assaulting a law-enforcement officer in the first degree, in connection with the incidents. He is scheduled to go to trial next month in Vernon County on a change of venue.
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