Trooper James Bava was effecting a traffic stop with a motorcycle when he was killed in a single vehicle crash.

On August 25, 2015 at 8:29 am, Trooper James Bava radioed that he was stopping a motorcycle for a traffic violation on Highway FF. At 8:35 am, Troop F received a report of a Trooper's vehicle being involved in a crash on Highway FF just east of Audrain Road 977. Emergency responders confirmed that Trooper Bava died in the crash. Trooper Bava had been ejected from his vehicle and was pinned beneath the burning patrol car.

A 20-year-old Mexico, MO, man was charged with second-degree murder, resisting a lawful stop, resisting a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, careless and imprudent driving, exceeding the speed limit, and failure to register a motor vehicle.

Trooper Bava had served with the Missouri State Highway Patrol for two years and was assigned to Troop F. He is survived by his fiancee, his parents, two brothers, and three sisters. Interred: St. Charles Memorial Gardens in St. Charles, MO.

Corporal Lejeune was a Navy veteran, entering service in April 1982 and serving six years until April 1988. He served as a Submarine Sonar Basic Maintenance Technician aboard the USS Hammerhead and deployed around the world in defense of the United States. Later, in 2003, Lonnie enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserves as a Master at Arms First Class. Throughout his 23 years in the Reserves, he deployed to locations such as Bahrain; Iraq; Fort Jackson, SC; and Ali Al Salem Airbase in Kuwait, where he worked with U.S. Customs. He was selected for numerous honors and assignments and awarded three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medals, five Good Conduct Awards, and he earned the title of Qualified Submarine Warfare Specialist. His greatest Navy accomplishment was promoting to the rank of Chief Petty Officer in 2006 before his retirement from the Reserves.

He is survived by his wife, two sons, brother, and two sisters. Interment: Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery in Bloomfield, MO.

Article by Brent Marchant