Cheney's Pumphrey is First Responder of the Year

Cheney Police Officer Matt Pumphrey has done quite a bit in his life, but it's his desire to help people that finally led him into law enforcement - and to being named the West Plains Chamber of Commerce's First Responder of the Year. Pumphrey received the award at the annual chamber banquet April 14 at Northern Quest Resort and Casino.

"When the chief (Cheney Chief John Hensley) told me I was a nominee, I thought cool," Pumphrey said. "When I was picked number one, I thought that's neat. I wouldn't have expected that."

Pumphrey said one of the things leading to his hiring in Cheney in 1999 wa...