Four OHP Troopers Receive 'Trooper Of The Year' Honors

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) awarded its top troopers for their heroism and humanitarianism in 2015.

Not one, but four troopers received the 2015 Trooper Of the Year award and each of them have incredible rescue stories.

The Chief of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol Col. Ricky Adams said last year was unlike any other for the OHP from losing one of their own, while working an accident to heroic rescues on land and water.

“I tell the guys often, the guys and gals often, that they are really the knights of the 21st century and what they do out there really matters,” said Adams.

Trooper Micah Stinnett was honored for helping rescue three children and two women from a sinking vehicle in a flooded creek near Grove, Okla.

“We do this job not because of getting honored. We do it because we love it, we care for people and to be honored today is very humbling,” Stinnett told News 9.

Trooper Trey Downum was awarded for saving two boys clinging to a piece of Styrofoam and not wearing lifejackets in the middle of the flooded Lake Eufaula.

“It's pretty special to see how many people actually do come out and support us. Sometimes it's hard to see those people out of the dark days we have,” Downum explained.

Troopers Kenny Knight and Danny Upton were honored for the same rescue when they clawed their way through crash wreckage to get a life-saving tourniquet on the bleeding driver.

“Words can't even describe how I'm feeling right now,” Upton beamed. “There were many more deserving troopers that were up for this award and I feel very privileged to wear this brown shirt.”

“It feels pretty amazing,” Knight said on being awarded. “We go out and we do this job. It's not what we look for, but it feels good.”

After a record year of high-water rescues, the entire Troop W Marine Enforcement Unit was also recognized on stage.

Several communications officers were also honored, as well as two civilians who helped troopers who had been injured in the line of duty.