A Warrenton police officer was honored for his actions during the Interstate 70 shutdown in February.
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A Warrenton police officer was honored for his actions during the Interstate 70 shutdown in February.
“So during the last ice event that we had on 70 that shut down all the traffic, there was also an ambulance stuck,” Warrenton Police Chief Larry Ellard said during the March 5 board of aldermen meeting. “The ambulance was coming from Montgomery County to Lake Saint Louis and had a 39 week pregnant woman in it. She was in labor.”
The paramedics reached out to the Warrenton dispatch.
That's when Cpl. Zachary Ogg stepped in.
“Cpl. Ogg took it upon himself to transport the paramedic and the patient in one of our SUVs down to the hospital where she successfully gave birth in the labor room instead of on the highway,” Ellard said.
The department received a letter from the paramedics thanking Ogg for his actions.
“So because of Cpl. Ogg’s actions that day, we’re issuing him a certificate of appreciation,” Ellard said.
Warren County Emergency Management Agency Director Jim Sharp said he wasn’t surprised Ogg stepped up in that situation.
“I knew about the officer driving the patient to the hospital. I didn’t know it was Cp. Ogg, but it doesn’t surprise me,” Sharp said. “In my dealings with him, he’s always professional. He’s always compassionate. I get why he does what he does.”
Sharp also praised the city of Warrenton for its role during the I-70 shutdown.
“I don’t know who got woken up after I work your mayor up at quarter to midnight on Friday night,” Sharp told aldermen. “There’s not a lot of people who do what I do that get that kind of response when you wake up a mayor at midnight and say ‘hey, I need,’ and get an automatic yes.”
Sharp also thanked the police department and road and bridge department for their efforts.
“Everybody was out that night doing their level best,” Sharp said. “There’s not a lot of people who do what I do and get that level of cooperation, no questions asked, and I’m really grateful.”
