KANSAS CITY, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that Missouri State Highway Patrol Trooper Gregory K. Tesch received the 2011 Enoch B. Morelock Award yesterday during the 10th Annual LECC Training Seminar in Springfield, Mo.

The Enoch B. Morelock Award is an annual recognition of outstanding moral character, service to law enforcement and service to the community. The prestigious law enforcement award is presented by the U.S. Attorney’s Office each year during the law enforcement training conference. It is named in honor of Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock, who was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847.

Tesch, who is assigned to Troop A, Jackson County, Zone 7, was honored for his commitment to public service both on and off duty.

Tesch serves the public admirably during his day to day activities as a trooper. He enforces the law with compassion, fairness and integrity. He assists the Public Information and Education Division routinely with education and other public service programs.

Tesch volunteers much of his off-duty time to community service. He has been an active volunteer for the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of America for a large part of his life.  He currently volunteers as an Assistant Cubmaster and Pack Trainer for Pack 366 in Lee’s Summit. In 2011, he also served as a Unit Commissioner for Cub Scout Pack 160 and Boy Scout Troop 160 in Belton. Tesch also assisted with the Thunderbird District Cub Scout day camp in June 2011.

Tesch is a volunteer with the American Red Cross, conducting disaster education presentations. Tesch has staffed several American Red Cross displays at home shows, fairs and other venues. He also participated with the “Cause for Alarm” campaign in 2011. The volunteers with this campaign deliver smoke detectors and batteries to indigent families.

Tesch volunteers for Literacy Kansas City, which is a not for profit organization whose mission is to “advance literacy among area adults through direct services, advocacy and collaboration.”

Tesch also finds time to participate in various fundraisers that benefit the community. In April 2011 he participated in the National Multiple Sclerosis Society “Walk for the Cure.”  In September 2011 he participated in a 5k run in Grain Valley to benefit a family in need.  He also donated several pints of blood to the Community Blood Center and the American Red Cross during 2011.

In addition to these activities, Tesch is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, National Rifle Association, and the Missouri State Troopers Association. 

Before his employment with the Patrol, Tesch displayed a commitment to public service by serving in the United States Marine Corps.  He served for 20 years before retiring at the rank of Major. On July 1, 2008, he began his career with the Patrol.

Enoch B. Morelock Award

Sullivan County Sheriff Enoch B. Morelock was the first recorded line of duty death in the Western District of Missouri on Dec. 19, 1847, in Sullivan County. Sheriff Morelock was shot and killed during a court-ordered sale of the accused's property. The accused killer, Patrick McIntry, was charged with 1st Degree Murder but was later acquitted. Within a year Mr. McIntry was found shot to death on the banks of a local river.

The annual Enoch B. Morelock Award recognizes individuals with outstanding moral
character, service to law enforcement and to the community outside of law enforcement. Recipients may include officers from local police departments, sheriffs' offices, state agencies, or federal agencies as well as investigators from prosecutors' offices.

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