The American Association of State Troopers is proud to recognize Trooper Schuck as the 2023 Trooper of the Year for her heroic actions which prevented a threat to the public without concern for her own safety.

Trooper Schuck is being recognized for her heroic actions on March 6, 2022, while providing traffic control and security for the Armed Forces Family Skyway 10k. Trooper Schuck was assigned to the south rest area to close Interstate 275 (I-275) and part of a team with the responsibility of protecting approximately 8,000 runners crossing the northbound span of the iconic Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

Just before 9:00 AM, officers staffing traffic posts south of Trooper Schuck radioed that a BMW had driven through the barricades and traffic cones at US-41 at an estimated speed of 100 MPH. All efforts to overtake and stop the erratic driver were unsuccessful. The driver continued northbound on I-275, at a high rate of speed and refused to stop as she neared the starting line-up of the race where thousands of runners were located.

Acting with bravery and selflessness, realizing nothing stood between this dangerous driver and the unsuspecting runners, Trooper Schuck maneuvered her FHP Chevrolet Tahoe in the path of the BMW. With less than a ½ mile between Trooper Schuck and the runners, the BMW collided head-on with Trooper Schuck’s SUV, ending the threat to the runners, and leading to the DUI arrest of the driver who was determined to be heavily impaired.

Trooper Schuck sustained injuries but has since recovered and is back on the job protecting the residents and visitors of Florida. Trooper Schuck’s actions go above and beyond the call of duty and have gained national attention.