The Oklahoma Highway Patrol honored State Rep. Dustin Roberts on Tuesday with a Heroism Citation for his part in assisting a state trooper during a 2011 roadside arrest.
A short presentation was made Tuesday at OHP troop headquarters in Durant, with Trooper Mark Glenn and several other members of OHP present. Glenn was struggling with a suspect on the side of Interstate 35 last year when Roberts stopped to help.
Roberts said the troopers were the real heroes, because they deal with these sort of situations on a regular basis, and put themselves in harm’s way daily. “I’m truly honored to be recognized by our troopers who take care of us and our state,” he said. “I don’t want to take any credit on this, I’m just thankful we got to send another young man home to his wife.”
Glenn was thankful for the assistance, and urged other motorists to lend a hand if they see an officer in similar circumstances. This help could be in the form of calling 911, as many passing motorists did, or simply in stopping and letting a suspect know that another pair of eyes is watching.
In Roberts’s case, his prior military service helped guide him through the tough situation on Feb. 6, 2011. He identified himself to the trooper, who had the resistant suspect in a neck hold and could not reach his handcuffs. Roberts was able to cuff the suspect.
Another motorist, identified as Noah Smith, also stopped to lend a hand. He was honored separately by OHP for his efforts.
“This isn’t the first time that one of our Troopers has needed help from a passerby while dealing with someone who chooses to fight, rather than comply with a lawful arrest; and we are grateful for the courage displayed by Representative Roberts.” said Colonel Kerry Pettingill, Chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. “(He) sprang into action and assisted Trooper Glenn. It’s always a relief in situations like that when someone steps in to help.”
Pettingill, Glenn and OHP Commissioner Michael Thompson presented the Heroism Citation plaque to Roberts.
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