Sallisaw officers receive Distinguished Service Award

Bobby Whitekiller, Worshipful Master of Sallisaw Masonic Lodge #120, on Aug. 7 presented Sallisaw Police Officer Wesley McGuirt and Captain John Weber a Distinguished Service Award for their heroic actions at the Sallisaw Diamond Days in May.

McGuirt and Weber were working the Diamond Daze event when a vehicle invaded Sallisaw streets after a high-speed chase on Interstate 40. The vehicle, a 2020 Hyundai SUV, barreled through Sallisaw streets at high speeds just one block from where children were playing.

Upon receiving the call to action, McGuirt and Weber used their police cruiser SUV to stop the fleeing vehicle, hitting the Hyundai SUV head-on at 50 to 60 mph, and bringing an end to the dangerous and reckless chase.

McGuirt and Weber have said they were working the Diamond Daze event as “foot patrol” when they learned about the pursuit and jumped into action, knowing they were the last line of defense. Their bravery prevented many injuries and potential deaths. Both officers have been heralded as heroes.

The suspects, Carlton Rucker, 37, and Shawn Hyman, 34, both of Florida, were arrested and booked into the Sequoyah County Jail where they were held without bond. Rucker and Hyman were later formally charged, along with a third passenger of the vehicle, Courtney Walker, 35, also of Florida.