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MoDOT worker honored for saving child from dog attack

[email protected] News Tribune staff

Les Hall, a senior maintenance worker at the Missouri Department of Transportation, is the State Team Member of the Month for May because of his heroic actions in rescuing a father and child from a dog attack.

The incident occurred March 15 when Hall and his colleagues from MoDOT’s Charleston maintenance facility were preparing a litter cleanup work zone.

Hall, along with Robert “Shane” Bolin and Terry Humphrey, had just arrived at a local business parking lot when they noticed two dogs running loose. Concerned for their safety and not wanting to engage the dogs, the team decided to relocate to the other side of the lot. As Hall stepped out of his truck, he heard screams coming from across the lot.

To his horror, Hall witnessed one of the dogs aggressively lunging at a father and his 5-year-old son. Reacting swiftly, Hall activated the truck’s sirens and lights to divert the dog’s attention away from the vulnerable pair. Thanks to Hall’s quick thinking, the father managed to lift his child onto the truck and out of harm’s way. Meanwhile,

Humphrey dialed 911 to request assistance from law enforcement to handle the dangerous animal.

Undeterred, the dog now focused on Hall, who was outside the truck to protect the father and child. Despite Hall pushing the dog away initially, it became more aggressive and prepared to attack him again. Hall grabbed a pipe in the back of his truck and used it as a barrier to push against the dog. With the improvised tool, he successfully fended off the dog’s advances, forcing it to retreat.

Hall’s actions bought enough time for law enforcement to arrive and capture the dog, which had been involved in two previous incidents that day, including biting a customer at a nearby business. The responding officers commended Hall and his crew for their swift and decisive intervention, which prevented further attacks.

“I don’t feel like I did anything heroic,” said Hall, who has served MoDOT for nearly nine years. “I just did what any dad would do to keep their kid safe.”

Mark Croarkin, MoDOT district engineer, nominated Hall for the State Team Member of the Month Award, highlighting the exceptional level of performance and initiative displayed during the incident. Croarkin praised Hall’s willingness to go above and beyond his job description to protect citizens in distress.

The crew, including Bolin and Humphrey, emerged from the incident unharmed. The father expressed his deep gratitude to the team for its quick response and safeguarding his child.

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2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-05-28T07:00:00.0000000Z

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