Police Chief Finds Calling
DRAKE COUNSELS VARIOUS PEOPLE
Goodman Police Chief Curt Drake usually has a relatively quiet day in law enforcement, typical of what might be expected in a small town.
Tuesday, April 4, was not that day.
Drake was called to work a devastating head-on accident on Missouri Highway 59 at 6:30 in the morning. Two helicopters had to land on the highway to life-flight two people involved in the accident.
As the day continued, weather forecasts for the evening called for potential severe weather. That evening, when the weather conditions indeed began to rapidly tank, he took off to survey the weather after receiving a tornado warning text alert.
Drake drove out to Highway B and saw not one — but two — funnel clouds. He grabbed his radio, alerting others to, “Sound the sirens!” Debris was flying and he could see the path the tornadoes would take.
In the aftermath, Drake learned one-third of his home was damaged by the tornado. The roof of the apartment complex he and his wife own was ripped off.
Much later, because of the amount of damage and debris, he was reduced to crawling through the woods to get to his home. A tree had landed across his driveway.
He and other emergency crews worked all night long, serving as search and rescue and helping every neighbor they could. He
finally crawled into bed at 5:30 in the morning at a relative’s house, got up at 7:30 and started to help again.
“It was quite a devastating day,” he said.
How does he get through a rough day like that?
“Just try to solve one problem at a time,” he said. “We serve an awesome God, and He works it out.”
Taking one crisis at a time is something for which Drake is well-equipped. With solid training, help from mentors and a confident, helpful manner, Drake assists a variety of people in all types of scenarios.
Drake found his way into law enforcement after a strong nudge from fellow church members and good friends. He initially felt a strong draw to serve as a counselor to help others. At the time, he attended church with then-Goodman Police Chief Tom West and then-Anderson Police Chief Randy Wilson.
They strongly encouraged him to consider a career in law enforcement.
“You pretty much counsel people of all ages at all times,” Drake said. “You see people at their worst and people at their best.”
Drake made the decision to enter law enforcement, then attended the Missouri Sheriff Training Academy, held at McDonald County High School in Anderson.
After eight months of training, he joined the Goodman Police Department in 2006. In May 2012, West retired and Drake was promoted to police chief.
Drake finds that most day-to-day work is fairly normal and calm, what most people would expect from small town operations.
There are traffic stops, working accidents, helping neighbors and paperwork. Perhaps his most rewarding experience came after helping two teenagers, one of whom he discovered later was contemplating suicide.
“They approached me after school about others bullying them,” Drake said. “I was able to visit with them and told them if they couldn’t get it stopped, to definitely come see me. I would take care of it.”
The two seemed genuinely relieved after the discussion and Drake felt he had made an impact. Later, he discovered from one teen’s relatives that she had been considering suicide before their discussion, due to the anguish caused by the bully.
Helping others in a small community is important to Drake. He grew up in Anderson, played sports in high school and married his high school sweetheart. He and Jennifer began dating in 1997, married in 1999 and have two girls, Casha, 17, and Cylee, 16.
The girls are involved in “everything,” and Drake wouldn’t have it any other way. “He blessed me with a family that I wonder, at times, what I did to deserve (them),” Drake said.
As the city recovers from the tornado, Drake remains optimistic. He’s grateful for the tremendous help from the McDonald County and Newton County sheriff’s offices, as well as the McDonald County Emergency Management team. The Missouri Militia 3rd/8th even cleared trees on his property.
He saw the community pull together to help each other and he knows that neighbor will continue to help neighbor.
He’s proud to serve in a small town where neighbors genuinely watch out for each other: “I love this community.”