By Beth Christian Broschart
The Parsons Advocate
PARSONS – Elkins resident Madonna Kalar Stokes was in Parsons last week with some of her Tucker County Classmates when she saw someone she thought she recognized. Although Stokes had never formally been introduced to West Virginia State Police Corporal Daniel Burge, she saw him and recognized him – and she wanted to thank him for what she terms ‘his service above and beyond the call of duty.’
“I was in the parking lot across from Parsons Pizza and my husband and I had just gotten out of the car,” she said. “I saw a State Policeman go by and I realized I was seeing Corporal Daniel Burge in person. I told my husband and my classmate I thought the officer was Corporal Burge and told them I had always wanted to meet him.”
On June 28, 2013, Stokes was traveling through Tucker County for a camping trip at Blackwater for a week when her vehicle flipped on its top. The accident happened near the turnoff to Olson Tower. According to records, Corporal Daniel W. Burge and Trooper First Class J.E. Kopec were performing a road patrol on U.S. Route 219 when they came upon Stoke’s Chrysler PT Cruiser that had just crashed and was overturned. Burge observed Stokes hanging upside down in the vehicle and realized the seatbelt was constricting her breathing. Burge climbed in the rear hatch of the vehicle and supported her neck and shoulders as Kopec cut the seatbelt loose and they lowered her to the roof, allowing her to breathe normally. Burge stayed with Stokes when the fire and EMS personnel arrived, helping keep her calm. He also covered her with protective material while emergency personnel extricated her from the accident. The account said Burge’s quick actions and disregard for his own safety played a vital role in the lifesaving efforts of Stokes.
“After the meeting, my friend was in the parking lot motioning for me to come over, so I did,” Stokes said. “I got over to her and Burge was getting out of his cruiser and coming over toward me. I told him I had always wanted to meet him because he was the one who saved my life. He said yes.”
Stokes said she had written Burge a note months following her accident and thanked him.
“He said he had read my note and he really appreciated it,” Stokes said. “He said he was glad he could help.”
Stokes said she told Burge she had always wanted to meet him face-to-face. “I told him I wanted to thank him for saving my life because I felt he went beyond the call of duty. He told me it was a really bad accident and said he got there quick because my wheel was still spinning.”
“He told me he kept me talking following the accident,” Stokes said. “He said I did what I could and said he did everything he could to keep me talking.”
Following the accident, Stokes was transferred to Davis Medical Center and then sent by Life Flight to Ruby Memorial Hospital for life saving surgery, and eventually transferred to UPMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for more extensive surgery
“The thing that really once again stirred up some emotions was when he told me that they always have to call through to the hospitals to check on a patient’s status and he said the hospital told him that I had died three times,” she said. “I have always known that I was critical, but I had never been told that part. I was pretty shocked and really unable to respond to that news.”
Stokes said she knows she would not be here if it were not for Corporal Burge’s quick action. During their recent reunion, Burge had his wife, Amy, to take a couple photographs, one of him and Stokes, and another one with her husband Richard, Corporal Burge and Stokes.
“I am happy to have them because I can look back in years to come and remember the State Policeman who risked his life for me. I’m thankful that God brought about this situation that would allow me to meet Corporal Burge face to face and thank him in person. I am grateful that he was given an award because I know not everyone would have done all he did.”
“In all of the negativity in our world today about police officers, we can be thankful for the law officers we have here in our little neck of the woods! They risk their lives daily for all of us,” Stokes said.
On March 19, 2014, Corporal Daniel W. Burge of the Parsons Detachment of the West Virginia State Police was given the Lifesaving Award for his actions above and beyond the call of duty while helping rescue Stokes on June 28, 2013.
