O'Fallon Police Officer Receives Medal of Valor

Sgt. Steven M. Landsness of the was one of six Missouri police officers honored by Gov. Jay Nixon in Jefferson City on Wednesday.

The law enforcement officers received the Missouri Medal of Valor, a recognition for extraordinary acts of bravery that saved someone's life in 2010. 

Landsness was honored for his actions that saved a woman's life in October 2010 while he was off-duty. He was walking on a trail in Florissant, when he heard a woman screaming for help as she struggled against the Missouri River current.

While others stood by, Landsness jumped into the water, swam 75 feet and pulled the woman onto shore, saving her life. 

, Landsness also received:

• A proclamation from the City of Florissant
• A Meritorious Service Award from the City of O'Fallon 
•  A VFW Life Saving Award and A VFW National Law Enforcement Award from VFW Post 5077 

“I don’t think that it was really anything anyone else wouldn’t have done,” Landsness said as he accepted his award at an  meeting in March. 

In addition to Landsness, the following St. Louis-area recipients also received the Medal of Valor:

• Mathew R. Crosby and Jorden G. Lewis, of the Rock Hill Police Department
• Joseph R. Haman, of the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department
• Darren M. Rodgers, of the Arnold Police Department
• Gerald L. Williams, of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department.