ST. LOUIS — A Texas father and son were reunited after 13 years thanks to two Missouri State High Patrol officers.
Sgt. Greg Weddle initiated a traffic stop on Interstate 44 in Pulaski County for speeding last October.
Officials say the driver couldn't produce identifation and after Sgt. Weedle requested a mobile fingerprint scanner from Cpl. Shawn Blackston, the driver was identified as one of Texas’ 10 most wanted fugitives with a warrant for parental kidnapping since 2009, according to the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s website.
The officers conducted more interviews and were able to locate the driver’s now 17-year-old son in St. Peters, Mo.
The Collin County Sheriff’s Office in Texas was informed of the child’s recovery, as well as the child’s father, who traveled from Texas to be reunited with his son, according to the MDPS website.
Weddle and Blackston are February’s DPS Sworn Team Members of the Month for their work.
“Following a routine traffic stop, Greg and Shawn demonstrated outstanding initiative, identifying a wanted criminal suspect, recovering a missing person and reuniting a father and son after 13 years,” the website states.