Citizen thanked for heroism

Pictured from left are ISP Superintendent Anthony Scott, Stanton Loder III, ISP Colonel Chris Hill.

What would you do if you saw a law enforcement officer being assaulted? Would you call 911? Would you run for help?

On November 19, 2025, Stanton Loder III, 31, of Vandalia, Illinois, was making deliveries in the area for FedEx when he saw the situation, which he immediately recognized as being a life-or-death struggle for ISP Sgt. David Meyer and jumped in to help.

At a ceremony on Tuesday, April 21 Indiana State Police Superintendent Anthony Scott presented Loder with an award for his actions. In a press release Indiana State Police Sgt. Wheeles said, “Without hesitation Loder ran approximately 100 yards to the scene and immediately placed the suspect in a hold that allowed Sgt. Meyer to get to his feet and handcuff the suspect.”

Sgt. Meyer had been taken off-guard by the suspect and had been knocked down in a ditch where he suffered a broken shoulder and rendered him unable to defend himself. He would have to have a total shoulder replacement and had multiple other wounds as well from his attacker, Larry Webster, II, who is incarcerated in Jefferson County on a $3M bond for other actions just before the assault.

Loder told The Versailles Republican, “I saw the suspect with the upper hand – I just had a sudden urge to help him out.” He said he was a bit surprised when he was honored.

Lt. Paul Adams, Commander of the Indiana State Police – Versailles Post said, “The Indiana State Police and our communities are forever grateful to Mr. Loder for his heroic actions in assisting a trooper in need and we are honored to present him with an award today.”

Editor’s Note: See related story for more information on the charges brought against the suspect. We will continue to cover this ongoing story as it unfolds.