UPD awards first responders for support during lifesaving incident, celebrates staff members for leadership

Public safety agencies and first responders from across Nodaway County gathered recently to celebrate their collaboration and individuals who have gone above and beyond in their work.

The second annual banquet on April 4 at the Mozingo Event Center honored achievements during 2025, and the Northwest Missouri State University Police Department (UPD) honored three of its staff members, in addition to first responders who assisted in efforts to save the life of a student last fall.

That life-saving incident occurred last November when Northwest dispatchers received a call from campus residential life staff reporting an unconscious student in Franken Hall.

First responders from the Maryville Fire Department and Nodaway County Ambulance District, along with support from the Nodaway County Sheriff’s Department and Maryville Police Department, assisted the UPD by answering the call to help the student, Isabel Thomas, who was experiencing seizures stemming from a stroke caused by an undiagnosed medical issue.

University Police Chief Amanda Cullin noted Nathan Little, a Maryville firefighter and emergency medical responder, was among the first to arrive at the scene and assisted UPD Lt. Marcus Holmes with lifesaving measures.

For their response that day, Cullin presented UPD’s Alliance Award to Little and the Maryville First Department. The Alliance Award recognizes people outside of the UPD who assist with a critical incident or series of incidents impacting the Northwest community.

“Thanks to Firefighter Little and all the responders that day, Ms. Thomas recovered back home in Alaska before returning to Northwest this spring semester,” Cullin said.

Additionally, the UPD presented two awards to Sgt. Kristina Martinez, a member of the department for more than 20 years.

Martinez received the UPD Excellence Award for demonstrating a commitment to quality by actively contributing to a positive and productive department and the Community Impact Award, which is voted on by UPD staff and presented to a member who connects with the diverse communities across Northwest, Maryville and Nodaway County.

“Sergeant Martinez works hard every day, all day, to provide a safe, healthy environment at Northwest and everywhere she lives, works and visits,” Cullin said.

The UPD presented its Operations Award – which is given to a department member who upholds its commitment to justice by enforcing laws, building community trust and responding strategically – to officer Tanner McKinney.

McKinney, who joined the department in 2025, leads the department in traffic contacts and leads the evening and midnight shifts in reports.

The UPD presented its Mentorship Award – which is given to a member who encourages the betterment of others through professional development, inclusion and psychosocial support – to dispatcher Deanna Clayton.

Clayton, who joined the department in 2023, has led approximately 50 to 60 student employees through daily operations in dispatch, parking and data entry while supporting peers with hiring and managing the Student Security and Safe Ride programs.