The long, distinguished career of one of Poplar Bluff’s own was recognized recently by Missouri Gov. Mike Parson during an unveiling ceremony in Jefferson City.
“Today, Teresa and I participated in the unveiling of a display for the Missouri Association of State Troopers Emergency Relief Society (MASTERS) at the Missouri State Highway Patrol Museum,” Parson wrote on social media.
“We honored former executive director Elaine Libla for her contributions during her more than 31 years of service to the organization,” Parson continued.
Libla, who retired as the organization’s executive director and only paid employee in 2019, said she knew she would be recognized, but was surprised about having a plaque placed in the highway patrol museum.
“I was overwhelmed and overjoyed, but I’m very humbled that a plaque dedicated to me would hang in the patrol museum along with those patrol members that have given so much and given their lives,” she said.
The mission of the MASTERS, she said, is to support the families of fallen troopers, which it has done since its inception in 1979.
Its website reports the organization was formed to establish “an entirely voluntary benevolent fund for the financial aid of a trooper’s immediate surviving family member (wife or husband) and children if he or she is killed in the line of duty.”
Additionally, “The MASTERS assists with funeral expenses, loan payments, mortgage payments and immediate bills. It also provides scholarships for the officer’s dependent children and the surviving spouse.”
“There’s been 21 families helped since 1979,” Libla noted.
During her career, Libla said, she was “in charge of the day-to-day operations, the record keeping, the financials. The biggest thing was, in the event of a death, I worked with the families.”
While she noted it’s “been a joy and an honor for me to work with MASTERS over the years, and I’ve made many friendships, there’s been many dark days during that too, from the deaths of the officers, but we were there each time to step up and help, and that’s a good feeling.”
The MASTERS remains very near and dear to her heart, Libla said, and though she’s now retired, “I’ll always remain a member and help wherever I can.”
“It’s a wonderful organization, and it’s there in a time of need for patrol families,” she said.
More information about the MASTERS, Libla said, and the stories of the troopers whose families have been helped, can be found on its website at www.themastersmo.org.