Tennessee Highway Patrol Trooper Saves Soldier’s Life and is Honored by Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell Honors Tennessee State Trooper for Heroic Actions
NASHVILLE –- The Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) was very proud to have Trooper Vincent Meaker assigned to Montgomery County of the THP Nashville District honored by U.S. Army Colonel Craig Alia of Fort Campbell. Colonel Alia met with Trooper Meaker personally to show his appreciation for his heroic actions and duty before self that saved a Fort Campbell soldier’s life.
Trooper Meaker was patrolling I-24 in Montgomery County, February 29, 2015 at 12:30 a.m. During this time, he observed a pickup truck traveling east on I-24 at a very high rate of speed. Immediately Trooper Meaker stopped his patrol car on the onramp and clocked the pickups speed to be 106 mph in a 70 mph zone. As Trooper Meaker was attempting to catch up to the pickup, he observed the driver exiting the right side of I-24 and lost control, flipping the vehicle multiple times. The pickup immediately caught on fire, trapping the driver inside.
Once Trooper Meaker pulled onto the scene, he immediately ran towards the burning pickup to render aid. As Trooper Meaker reached the pickup, he observed smoke engulfing the cab of the pickup and the driver trying to kick the door open. Trooper Meaker then forced the door open and pulled the driver out of the vehicle. Shortly after freeing the driver, the interior of the pickup was on fire. These heroic actions performed by Trooper Meaker saved the young, Fort Campbell, soldier’s life.
“I am very proud of the actions performed by Trooper Meaker, his bravery is exemplary,” Said THP Colonel Tracy Trott.
For his actions, U.S. Army Colonel Craig Alia presented Trooper Meaker the Wings of Destiny 101st Airborne certificate of appreciation for selfless-service. The presentation took place at the THP State Trooper office in Montgomery County Friday, March 18th.
The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to serve, secure, and protect the people of Tennessee.
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