Trooper James Matthew Bava

Trooper Bava was killed in a one-vehicle accident in Audrain County. At 8:29 a.m., he radioed that he had observed a motorcyclist commit a traffic violation on Missouri Route FF. A few minutes later, dispatch attempted to contact Trooper Bava and did not receive a response. At 8:35 a.m. it was reported that a Missouri State Highway Patrol vehicle had crashed at the same location. First responders found Trooper Bava deceased.

In November 2015, the motorcyclist was charged with second-degree murder, resisting a lawful stop, resisting a member of the Missouri State Highway Patrol in discharge of his official duties, careless and imprudent driving, exceeding the speed limit, and failure to register a motor vehicle with the Department of Revenue. After the May 2017 trial in Audrain County ended in a mistrial, it was moved to St. Charles County. In March 2018 the motorcyclist was acquitted of manslaughter.