Oklahoma State Senate
Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

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For Immediate Release: May 3, 2010

Senators Todd Lamb, Harry Coates and Susan Paddack with State Troopers Scott Aldridge,
Brad Stuteville and Tommy Allen at the state Capitol on Monday.

Senate Honors Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers for Heroism

The state Senate on Monday honored Oklahoma Highway Patrol Troopers Brad Stuteville, Tommy Allen and Scott Aldridge, upon their selection for Trooper of the Year Awards for Heroism.

Trooper Aldridge, speaking on behalf of the three troopers, said he was honored to have been selected as a recipient of the award. “We’re truly humbled and honored to be here and to represent all other troopers of this great state,” Aldridge said.

On July 26, 2009, Stuteville, Allen and Aldridge responded to the scene of a shooting in Seminole, Oklahoma, to find Seminole Police Deputy Robbie Chase Whitebird injured and bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds. The troopers risked their lives by placing themselves in the line of fire to move the deputy to safety. Tragically, Deputy Whitebird, along with Captain Marvin Gene Williams did not survive the shooting. The suspect later surrendered.

Senate Resolution 120 was authored by Sens. Harry Coates, Todd Lamb, Susan Paddack and Senate President Pro Tempore Glenn Coffee to honor the Troopers for bravely risking their lives in the performance of their duty.

“These men put their lives on the line every day to protect us and our constituents, and I’m particularly pleased to have an opportunity to honor them today in the Senate,” said Coates, R-Seminole. “They averted what could have become an even more horrific incident in my hometown, and we can never adequately thank them for their bravery.”

“On behalf of the Senate, we thank you for what you did on July 26, 2009, but we also thank you for what you’ve done in uniform every day prior to this incident and every day since – you are examples of what makes Oklahoma great,” said Lamb, R-Edmond.

“We come to work every day and we think our job is hard, but when we consider these Troopers and the tremendous risks and bravery required of them every day, we understand that we owe them a huge debt of gratitude,” said Paddack, D-Ada.

For more information, contact:
Sen. Coates: (405) 521-5547