Lee’s Summit – On May 8, Rep. Will Kraus spoke at ceremonies honoring five outstanding public safety officers at the Lee’s Summit Jack Ray Post for Veterans of Foreign Wars.  “Our public safety officers face increasing challenges every day in performance of their jobs,” said Rep. Kraus.  “We all depend upon them for our safety and security, and the dedication of these officers in the face of their many challenges is the stuff of which heroes are made.”

In recognition of their outstanding services, the VFW honored the following individuals as 2010 Public Safety Honorees:

Shawn Burgess, who was selected as Fire Fighter of the Year for 2009, has battled major blazes, helped to birth babies, and once battled a fire during weather so cold that it left him covered in ice – the type of challenges that our firefighters face to extinguish flames and rescue those in peril.

Scott Goodman with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has served in many positions such as on the Emergency Response Team, Field Training Office, Firearms Instructor and Detective.  Goodman is also a member of the United States military’s Individual Ready Reserve, serves as a Petty Officer Second class and earned a number of medals while on active duty.

Jeff Palecek was honored for his work as a full-time police officer with the Grain Valley Police Department.  He has served in many positions such as firearms instructor, field training supervisor, and citizens academy instructor, and been involved in all areas of department operations.

Josh Patterson, who was named as the 2009 Officer of the Year by the Lee’s Summit Police Department, is a nine-year veteran of the department. Patterson has been assigned training duties to help his fellow officers, served as a firearm instructor, coordinated special duty assignments, and he has served as a member of the Emergency Services Squad.

Ryan A. Wood was recognized for his work with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.  Wood has demonstrated a solid cross section of arrests, services and investigations in fulfilling his duties as a public servant.

“I also commend the VFW Jack Ray Post of Lee’s Summit for their efforts to recognize our public safety officers.  Those who have traveled abroad to protect our safety have joined to pay tribute to those who protect our safety at home.  And I cannot mention our veterans without thanking all of them for the sacrifices they have made in defense of these great United States,” said Rep. Will Kraus.