Engelhard, Dennis, TPR

Corporal Dennis Engelhard was fatally struck by a vehicle while investigating a minor accident on I-44, in Eureka, on Christmas day.

While waiting for a tow truck to arrive, Corporal Engelhard was struck by the driver of a vehicle who lost control on an icy patch due to winter weather conditions. Corporal Engelhard was transported to the St. Clair Health Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

Corporal Engelhard had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for 10 years. He is survived by his life partner, stepson, parents, and brother.

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Birth: Nov. 24, 1960 Brookfield Linn County Missouri, USA Death: Dec. 25, 2009 Eureka (St. Louis County) St. Louis County Missouri, USA Missouri State Highway Patrol Corporal Dennis E. Engelhard, 49, of St. Louis, was struck by a vehicle and killed on Friday, December 25, 2009, while working a non-injury traffic crash on Interstate 44 east of Eureka, near St. Louis. "Cpl. Engelhard embodied the very best of the Missouri State Highway Patrol--dedicated public service to the people of Missouri," said Missouri Department of Public Safety Director John M. Britt. "In addition to serving almost 10 years with the Patrol, Dennis worked as a paramedic and as a flight paramedic. In all, he spent a quarter of a century bravely and selflessly helping to save lives and assisting those in need. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family." Cpl. Engelhard was born in Brookfield, on November 24, 1960, the son of Jim and Marge (O'Dell) Engelhard. He was a graduate of Kirksville High School and had attended Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in Kirksville, and Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar. He had worked as a paramedic in Kirksville and Sringfield, and had worked as a flight paramedic for Cox air Care in Springfield. Cpl. Engelhard began his career with the Missouri State Highway Patrol in 2000, as a member of the 77th Recruit Class. He had been a member of the Park Baptist Church in Brookfield, and the Fellowship Baptist Church in Kirsville. He currently was a member of Christ Church Cathedral in St. Louis. Survivors include his parents, Jim and Marge Engelhard, of Excelsior Springs, MO; one brother (and sister-in-law) Dan and Kelly Engelhard and their children, Jenna Jacob, and Jackson, all of Oak Grove; three aunts, Carol Kearns and her husband, Junior, of Brookfield, Frances Smart and her husband, Donald, of San Diego, CA, and Bernice Engelhard, of Marceline, MO; and many loving relatives. Cpl. Engelhard was preceded in death by his granparents, Elgin and Mabel Engelhard, and John and Ola O'Dell

Missouri Highway Patrol Trooper Dennis Engelhard died in the line of duty on Friday, December 25, 2009. Trooper Engelhard was fatally struck by a vehicle while investigating a minor accident on Interstate 44, in Eureka, on Christmas Day. Another vehicle lost control due to icy road conditions and struck him as he walked to the rear of his vehicle. Trooper Engelhard, 49, was a 10-year veteran of the Missouri Highway Patrol. He is survived by his parents, who live in the Kansas City area. Please join the men and women of the American Association of State Troopers in keeping the family of Trooper Engelhard in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.