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Published in the Russellville Courier, AR - June 12, 2008
The American Association of State Troopers recently selected an Arkansas State Police corporal from Russellville to receive its 2008 Trooper of the Year award.
Cpl. Blake Wilson, 51, is a 29-year veteran currently assigned to Troop J of the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division in Clarksville. He was chosen from a national pool of candidates for his successful negotiations during a prolonged hostage standoff in October 2007 in Choctaw in Van Buren County, a press release from the AAST said.
Wilson skillfully negotiated with a man holding his 4-year-old daughter and ex-wife hostage at knifepoint in his pickup truck. The man was using his daughter as a shield from possible action by police snipers, according to a narrative included with the release.
After approximately 10 hours of non-stop negotiations, Wilson managed to disarm the man by lunging into the pickup and wrestling the knife out of the man’s hand. Supporting troopers quickly moved to restrain and apprehend the man. Both the daughter and ex-wife were freed unharmed.
“We are privileged to honor Cpl. Wilson with this distinguished award for his selfless and unyielding efforts during the 10-hour negotiation process,” AAST President Tommy Moore said in the press release. “His dedication to duty during this tense standoff was exemplary, and he is most deserving of this special recognition.”
Wilson was honored in April by the Arkansas State Police as the Arkansas State Trooper of the Year. He was also one of two Arkansas State Troopers to receive the ASP Medal of Valor in April.
“Receiving the Arkansas State Trooper of the Year was a real honor, but I was blown away to receive national recognition,” Blake said. “I would like to point out, however, that it was a team effort and it took a lot of people to reach that peaceful conclusion.”
Wilson praised the efforts of his fellow law enforcement officers from Troop J, as well as officers from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, Damascus Police Department and the ASP SWAT Team.
“Because people were doing their job, it made it easier for me to do mine and focus on the negotiations,” Wilson said.
Wilson and his wife will travel to Charleston, S.C., where Wilson will accept the award and a $1,000 check Friday when the AAST holds its national board meeting at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel in the Historic District.
Published in the Today's THV, AR - June 11, 2008
Cpl. Blake Wilson says he's humbled by the attention he's received for his role in the standoff that saved a 4-year-old girl and her mother. But when asked about his quick thinking in disarming the suspect, he says he was simply doing his job.
"It was a long day. It was hot," he said.
And Wilson spent the entire day outside a pick-up truck owned by Jeff Pearson, who on Oct. 31, allegedly kidnapped his daughter and his ex-wife and held them at knife-point outside the Choctaw Post Office.
"Things were moving so fast that it didn't seem like 10 hours," he said. "It seemed more like three hours when I look back on it."
Police say Pearson was distraught over a recent break-up with another woman. Wilson served as chief negotiator, trying to reason with Pearson to release them.
"And it was up to me to see that it was done in a safe manner where no one was injured," he said.
During his negotiations, Wilson saw an opportunity and acted. "I was able to get close to him and leap into the truck and grab the arm that was holding the knife."
Both mother and daughter escaped without serious injury. And for his bravery, Wilson was named Arkansas' Trooper of the Year. It's an honor he wears proudly but one he shares with his fellow law enforcement officers.
"There were as many as 30 officers on the scene," he said. "I just happened to be the one chosen to be chief negotiator."
It's a role he is now being recognized for across the country, as the American Association of State Troopers recently named him National State Trooper of the Year.
"I believe I'm accepting this award for all of the officers who were there in Choctaw on October 31st."
Wilson has received more than 300 training hours in negotiations; training that clearly came in handy on that day. He'll travel to South Carolina Friday to accept his award.
As for Jeff Pearson, he's awaiting trial for several charges, including kidnapping and assault.
Published in the KARK 4 News, AR - June 10, 2008
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Arkansas State Police Corporal Blake Wilson, 51, of Russellville, has been named the recipient of the American Association of State Troopers (AAST) 2008 Trooper of the Year award.
He will be presented with the award and a check for $1,000 at the AAST national board meeting on Friday, June 13, at a noon luncheon to be held at the Renaissance Charleston Hotel, Historic District, Charleston, S.C.
The AAST Trooper of the Year award is sponsored by Ken Underwood, founder, president, and CEO of the National Safety Commission (www.nationalsafetycommission.com), one of the nation’s leading providers of driver education services.
The company provides a variety of online driver education courses in all 50 states and has been recognized as America's second fastest growing education company.
Wilson, a 29-year veteran of the department, is assigned to the Arkansas State Police Highway Patrol Division, Troop J. Wilson was selected as the national AAST Trooper of the Year from a pool of candidates from across the country.
The award was based on his skillful negotiations during a prolonged hostage standoff which began during the early morning hours of Oct. 31, 2007, outside the Choctaw, Ark. (Van Buren County) Post Office.
For more than 10 hours, without sitting or stopping for food, water, or any other necessities, Wilson negotiated with a man holding a knife to the chest of the suspect’s 4-year-old daughter. The suspect was holding the child and her mother hostage inside a pick-up truck, and at times during the negotiations, the suspect used the child as a shield to protect himself from possible action by police snipers.
Shortly before nightfall as the suspect began to fatigue, Wilson was able to take advantage of an opportunity to disarm the man, as an ASP SWAT officer moved in and applied a Taser shock to the suspect.
For his actions, Wilson was also named the Arkansas State Police 2007 Trooper of the Year in April 2008 and was one of two Arkansas state troopers to recently receive the department’s Medal of Valor Award.
“We are privileged to honor Cpl. Wilson with this distinguished award for his selfless and unyielding efforts during the 10-hour negotiation process,” AAST President Tommy Moore said. “His dedication to duty during this tense standoff was exemplary, and he is most deserving of this special recognition.”
As Trooper of the Year, Wilson and his wife will be treated by AAST and the National Safety Commission to an all expense paid trip to Charleston to receive his award.
Published in the WXVT News, AR - June 9, 2008
LITTLE ROCK (AP) - The American Association of State Troopers has chosen an Arkansas State Police corporal as its national trooper of the year.
Corporal Blake Wilson of Russellville, a 29-year veteran of the ASP, is assigned to the Troop J patrol division in Clarksville. The 51-year-old Wilson was honored for his skillful negotiations during a prolonged hostage standoff which began early October 31st, 2007, outside the post office in Choctaw in Van Buren County.
Wilson negotiated with a man holding a knife to the chest of his 4-year-old daughter. The suspect was holding the child and her mother hostage inside a pick-up truck. At times, the man would use the child to shield himself against possible fire from police snipers. After 10 hours without a break, Wilson saw fatigue set in with the suspect and, just before nightfall, Wilson was able to disarm the man as other troopers moved in with electronic stun weapons.
Wilson is to be presented the national award and $1,000 when the group has its national board meeting on Friday in Charleston, South Carolina. The association will pay travel costs for Wilson and his wife.
AAST announces National Trooper of the Year
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Highway Patrol/State Police Memorial