The Bolivar Police Department is proud to announce three police officers recently received the prestigious Medal of Valor from the Missouri Police Chiefs Association.
According to the nomination letter from Chief Christopher Johns, Officer Jessica Adams, Officer Lee Cannon, and Officer Mason Painter showed "extraordinary courage, decisive action, and selfless commitment to saving a life following a series of motor vehicle collisions on Nov. 27, 2025."
On that day, Officer Adams responded to a series of crashes on MO 13 that culminated in a third collision in which a vehicle left the roadway and became fully submerged in a pond near the 4700 block of South 131st Road in Bolivar.
When she arrived on scene, Officer Adams found a pickup truck nearly completely under water with bubbles still rising from the cab and bystanders unsuccessfully attempting to rescue the driver with improvised tow straps.
Without hesitation and fully aware of the extreme personal risks, she removed portions of her uniform and entered the frigid water. Officer Adams swam to the submerged truck, attempted to break the rear window with a door punch, and then found the driver through a partially open driver's door window.
Despite the fact that the vehicle was under water, the visibility in the water was near zero, and the driver was caught on an obstruction, Officer Adams repeatedly submerged herself, ultimately freeing the victim and pulling him through the window.
Officer Adams then placed the driver on the roof of the vehicle, inches below the waterline, and immediately started CPR while maintaining his airway above the surface. She continued lifesaving efforts until she was joined by Officer Cannon and Officer Painter, who assisted in CPR and helped secure the victim for removal from the scene.
The officers remained in the water until Bolivar City Fire personnel and volunteers pulled the victim to the shore.
Only after the driver was safely transferred to medical personnel did Officer Adams return to the shore herself, exhausted and suffering from exposure.
"The actions of these officers were performed under extreme physical danger in deep water, with a submerged vehicle, limited equipment, and no guarantee of personal safety," Chief Johns said. "Their willingness to risk their lives to save another exemplifies the highest traditions of law enforcement service. Their conduct during this incident was nothing short of heroic."
All three officers were honored at the association's annual conference in Osage Beach earlier this month, with Officer Painter and Officer Cannon accepting their medals at a reception. Officer Adams, who couldn't attend the ceremony at the conference, was also honored in the Bolivar Board of Aldermen meeting on Tuesday, May 12.
