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2021
HEROES
Table of Contents
5
Matt Jones
7-8
Eric Tilmon
9-10
Juan Toscano
11
Dan Vancil
13-15
Eric Snipes
Publisher - Shelia Rouse General Manager - Mike Smith Editor - Jeff Dorris
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HEROES 2021
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We believe there are heroes among us! Heroes come from all walks of life, just ordinary citizens with an extraordinary amount of caring and compassion. Inside this magazine, we share the stories of just a few of those every day heroes. On behalf of the staff of the Delta Dunklin Democrat and the area businesses advertised in this publication:
Thank You!
No words seem adequate to express our admiration and gratitude for the brave men and women who runs towards danger to selflessly save others.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless Our Troops
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2021
HEROES
Matt Jones
Jones serves community as member of KFD’s Squad 51 TRINA BELL tbell@dddnews.com
Some heroes wear capes, others wear a lot of other gear, like fire suits, stethoscopes, etc. Matt Jones is a certified paramedic, as well as a firefighter for the Kennett Fire Department. Being one of three certified paramedics with the department, Jones says he is happy doing what he loves. “We don’t always have happy stories to tell,” he said. “There’s plenty of calls that I’m sure we would all rather forget about. But if you let those few calls deter you, you miss out on the bigger rewards,” Jones explained. As a fireman/medic or first responder, Jones has seen many faces in public that he can recall seeing at a scene before. “The reward for us is being able to see the positive outcomes for these people we are called to help, seeing that they survived a heart attack or fire because of our services. That’s the rewarding part of what we do.” Like most of his colleagues, Jones is married. He and his wife Ava have three children, Logan, 13, Kallie, 12, and Elizabeth, 8.
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Jones said his son Logan is already preparing to follow in his Dad’s footsteps. “Here in Kennett we have the Explorer Program that kids can join at age fourteen, and Logan plans on joining the Explorers in October when he turns fourteen,” Jones confirmed. “It makes you proud to see that what you do in life impacts others, especially when it’s your own children.” Jones, who has been with the Kennett Fire Department for four years now, says that he is thankful the City opted to implement the Squad 51, especially seeing the significant increase in the call volume over the past six to eight months. With no hospital in place just yet, Squad 51 serves as a major lifeline for many people who are in need of emergency medical services. Fire Chief Paul Spain said he is proud of the work performed by Jones and the other paramedics. “It’s important to have people who are certified to render medical attention in many cases. Squad 51 runs medical calls only. And they stay extremely busy,” the Chief explained.
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2021
HEROES
Tilmon, a Hero in the eyes of his superiors TRINA BELL tbell@dddnews.com
There are some people who admittedly know they are an asset and then there are those who are extremely modest and always say, “I was just doing my job.” Eric Tilmon, a firefighter with the Kennett Fire Department is the latter. Tilmon has been a part of KFD for nearly seven years, three of which were part time. Tilmon plays a bigger role with the department than what he likes to admit and his superiors were quick to share some details where Tilmon has been a great service to the fire department and community. Mr. Tilmon is the department engineer. Chief Paul Spain said Tilmon a such a valuable asset to the department. “He is extremely intelligent and is a highly educated engineer,” Chief Spain stated. “His knowledge of interior fire attack and rescue capabilities are a very valuable asset to our department and to the City of Kennett,” Assistant Chief Lance Davis is another who spoke very highly of Tilmon and his performance at work. “Eric is a great man all the way around. In addition to being a very valuable firefighter, he’s a great man and an upstanding member of this community,” Davis explained. “Every department should have an Eric Tilmon. It would definitely make the department better and stronger.” Although Tilmon is a modest man, he knows he has several who look up to him. His children realize their dad is a hero and one has already said to have his mind set on a fire fighter career. Tilmon and his wife have four children, three girls and one boy. “Bryson, my son has said that he wants to be a fireman. And that makes me proud,” Tilmon said. Another reason Tilmon may be so good at his job is because of his love and passion for what he does. “I don’t just like what I do for a living, I love it,” Tilmon confessed. “It is great to get up each day and go do a job that you love.” When asked what he loves most about what he does, Tilmon said it’s the fact that he is able to help so many peoHEROES
Eric Tilmon ple. “Each day is something new. No two calls are exactly the same,” Tilmon explained. “But there are those calls you never forget. And those calls or scenes are buried in your mind and you just can’t seem to ever shake them.” The most recent call or event was the call of an accident where the well known prominent citizen Mr. Keith Mitchell lost his life. “It’s always bad when you go to a scene, where you know that no matter what you do, you won’t be able to save them. And it’s even harder when it’s someone you know and have so much respect for. Another call that weighs on me is the call we responded to where a local teenager lost his life. Like I said, every life matters, but it’s just harder when you know them and also when it’s someone who should have their whole life ahead of them. You always think about them, their families, and how the rest are able to move on. It’s hard at times, but it’s being able to help so many others that keeps us going,” Tilmon added. Another thing Tilmon touched on was the fact that it’s not only about people. “Chief Spain and I responded to a call near Black Gold Farms around Arbyrd, where we learned a dog had its head stuck in a pipe and couldn’t get free,” Tilmon explained. “We went down there and was able to cut the pipe to get the dog freed but we had to get him up here to doctor Mobley in order to make sure that we could get the rest of the pipe removed without hurting the pup.” Tilmon said it’s one thing to have to watch for moving body parts while trying to free someone from an accident. But he said it’s totally different when dealing with an ani-
2021
See TILMON page 8 7
Tilmon From Page Seven
1009 St. Francis Street Kennett, MO 63857
573-919-5042
mal. “You just never know if they are going to get spooked and react in a way to further injure themselves or turn on us,” he stated. “But thankfully in this case, once the dog is well enough to leave the vet, Chief Spain and his family have decided to make the pup the newest addition to their family.” Davis said, “Eric is a huge asset to the city of Kennett. He is one of the most selfless individuals that I have ever met, always willing to serve his community in any capacity that he can without ever giving it any thought. The fire department is blessed to have Eric as a firefighter and I am blessed to call him my friend.”
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2021
HEROES
Juan Toscano: Hero to the immigrant population JEFF DORRIS jdorris@dddnews.com
Juan Toscano is many things. He’s a husband, father, business owner, Rotarian and hero. Hero to the area’s immigrant population. Toscano assists the local courts as an interpreter, translating for those who do not speak english. “People would come to me and they didn’t speak english, and they’d ask me to go with them to court and translate,” said Toscano. That’s how I started going to Judge Spielman’s court room.” Toscano said, “I enjoy it. I was happy to help. I have a lot of energy. I’m hyper. I cannot stand still. This gives me something good to do.” Toscano relocated to Kennett from Chicago, Illinois in June of 1997. He and his wife, Maria, assumed ownership of the 84 West Motel in Kennett. Maria ran the business while Juan commuted, continuing to work in Chicago as one of the region’s top car salesmen. “I would work ten days in Chicago and they would give me five days off,” informed Toscano. “For 12 years that was the deal. They would also give me a car to drive. It was hard, a ten hour drive.” While living in Kennett, Toscano made many friends and contacts. Ultimately, acquiring the role of translator for the area courts. “In the beginning, the judges didn’t know me and I would tell them who I was and I’m here to help translate. There was a big need for it.” Toscano continued, “The immigrants, they didn’t understand so they wouldn’t go to court and then they’d have a warrant. Now they got trouble.” “They’d come to me and say, Juan what’s this paper?,” said Toscano. “I’d tell them they’re looking for you. That’s when I started to get involved with the prosecutors, helping them better understand and compromise. They’d withdraw the warrant and allow them to pay the fine.” Toscano helps the non-english speaking people in many HEROES
Juan Toscano areas, including the church. “Then at the Catholic Church the priest asked me to help the members of the church,” shared Toscano. “I said I would be more than glad. I now help translate at the church, too.” Toscano stated there is a large Mexican population in Kennett. “Originally, it was Senath and Clarkton,” he said. “Now, it’s spread to Arbyrd, Hornersville, Rector, Ark., and Leachville, Ark. They know my name and they call me. I stay busy.” Toscano added, “I travel to Jonesboro, and Piggott, Rector, New Madrid, Caruthersville, and all over Pemiscot County. We have quite a few that live here year round and we also have those with work permits that go back after a few months.” Toscano has led quite a colorful life. One of the most difficult periods of his life occurred while he was living in Chicago and had began working in law enforcement. The incident initiated his passion for helping the immigrant population. In 1985, after completing the required law enforcement training, Toscano was commissioned as a Cook County Deputy Sheriff. An event took place at a bar when Toscano had a run-in with a detective. The detective tried to arrest him for carrying a concealed weapon. “When I identified myself as a Deputy Sheriff, he became angry and threatened that he would get even for embarrassing him,” recalled Toscano.
2021
See TOSCANO page 10 9
Toscano From Page Nine In September of 1990, the detective stopped a friend of Toscano’s who he had lent his car. The detective arrested Toscano for drugs found on the seat of the car. Toscano turned in his commission, to concentrate on addressing the charges. In April of 1990, the same disgruntled detective arrested Toscano. “He had been following me and harassing me,” shared Toscano. “The detective stated he had been passing by and saw me sitting in my car snorting cocaine. When I was released on bond, I found that two hundred dollars in cash from my console was gone.” In 1994, a man from the same town Toscano was from in Mexico, asked if he could store some property at his house. Toscano agreed. With a tip from a confidential informant, the police came and searched Toscano’s house while he was away, without his wife’s consent. “In the property I had stored they found a large quantity of cocaine,” Toscano said. “I was charged with possession of cocaine and had to stay in jail, as I could not raise the required bail.” After months of hearings and threats, Toscano began to lose hope of ever being free from the harassment and ulti-
mate incarceration stemming from the first encounter with the aggrieved detective. “I am a man of faith though,” said Toscano. “I had a minister from Puerto Rico fly in and pray for me and asked him to see my future.” Toscano continued, “I was scared. He agreed to come and see me at the jail. After praying with me he told me I was going home soon.” “What they have done to your wife and family is not right, but God will punish them,” said the priest. “I was so happy,” said Toscano. “I hired a new lawyer and he believed me. He looked at the evidence and I got out with time served.” Recently Toscano’s story with corruption in Illinois has come full circle. For years, he has gathered letters from those friends and contacts in the community and sent them to the justice system in the Chicagoland area. They are letters praising his character and devotion to the citizens he helps in the Bootheel region. On May 14, 2021 Toscano was granted a full pardon from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. The pardon sums up, Toscano is acquitted and discharged of and from all further imprisonment and restored to all the rights of citizenship which may have been forfeited by the conviction. “Without God, I would not have been able to do it,” said Toscano. “I was blessed by moving to Kennett.” He concluded, “That was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
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Dan Vancil: A grocer who gives back JEFF DORRIS jdorris@dddnews.com
Local grocer, Dan Vancil, owner of The Junction in Holcomb believes in giving back. He is known throughout the community for being very charitable. Recently he reflected on the grocery business and the importance of community support. “I bought The Junction in 1995,” said Vancil. “Rob Whiteside owned it. He built it in 1991 and ran it for a few years.” Vancil continued, “An opportunity came up and he had some other interests, so he contacted my dad, because we own Vancil Grocery in Campbell.” “It all worked out and here we are,” said Vancil. “We’re a full-service convenience store. About 12 years ago, we expanded and went to a full-service kitchen for lunch and dinner items.” Vancil shared he is a fourth generation grocer. “My dad’s had stores in Piggott and Kennett,” Vancil said. “We had the Kennett IGA. He’s had several grocery stores. I grew up in that business. He still runs it now. He and my brother run the store in Campbell and I branched off down here.” Vancil stated he likes the grocery business. “I like the grocery business really well, but I like the convenience store business even better.” Vancil added, “In the grocery business you see the same people all the time, but being out here on the highway, you may see the same people, but you’re also going o see somebody new that you can talk to. I enjoy that.” “It’s also a faster pace,” he said. “We do a tremendous breakfast business. Nobody sits home and eats anymore. They’re just too busy. They depend on stores like us.” Speaking about his charitable donations, Vancil said, “I try my best. When there’s an activity or an organization needs something, I try to donate to them. I like to help them
HEROES
Dan Vancil and do whatever I can for them.” Vancil continued, “They support us, so it’s our duty to support them back. As a family business it’s what you want to do. It’s only right. I like helping the town out.” Vancil shared that the COVID pandemic didn’t affect his business too much. “It didn’t hurt us too bad,” said Vancil. “We had difficulty getting certain products, and we’re struggling with that. For the most part it didn’t hurt us that bad, at times it actually helped us.” Vancil shared, “A lot of people used to go out and eat all the time, so they began to cook for themselves and eat locally.” Vancil provided one of his personal joys, aside from family is his pit bull dog, Bruno. “Everywhere I go, he goes,” said Vancil. “If they allow him in a store, he’ll walk around like he’s king of it all. Everybody loves him.” Vancil stated that he likes this area and has no immediate plans to leave. “I like small towns. I like Holcomb,” he said. Vancil informed besides the grocery stores he owns Uptown Skate in Campbell and Big Shot Fireworks in Campbell, Holcomb, and Gideon. “I stay busy,” said Vancil. “My family helps me. My dad still works at the grocery store. My mom is still active there too, and my brother runs it with my dad. It’s a family affair.” Vancil concluded, “You have to give your heart to it, but the grocery business has been a good choice for me.”
2021
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2021
HEROES
Eric Snipes: Helping those in crisis JEFF DORRIS jdorris@dddnews.com
Eric Snipes began his career at FCC Behavioral Health in 2005 and has never looked back. He’s had many roles withing the company but has found his niche helping those in crisis. “I started my career here as a treatment technician in our substance use program working with adolescents,” said Snipe. “I enjoyed that.” Snipes then reached a point where he wanted a change so he transitioned into the outpatient program, where he was introduced to crisis related issues. “I began to be around more of the people who working crisis and I got into it,” he said. “I eventually agreed to go oncall. I probably wore the crisis director out for the first year, just calling on every move you make.” “You want to make you’re doing it the right way,” said Snipes. “I’ve also been a member of the after-hours crisis team since 2008.” Snipes continued, “We go on-call from Tuesday to Tuesday after hours. When we close here at FCCBH until we open in the morning somebody’s still got to be on-call if there’s an emergency or an issue pops up. “We rotate that every week,” informed Snipes. “There’s a lot of awesome people that make that happen, 365 days a year.” Snipes shared he can’t imagine doing anything other than working in crisis. “It’s always something different,” he said. “I’ve built relationships with so many people. We actually serve seven counties. I’ve made many friends. I can’t see me doing anything else.” Crisis calls vary informed Snipes. “It can be something as simple as someone needs their medicine or it can be something as serious as being a danger to themselves or others.” To help combat the stigma associated with mental health, Snipes participates in a mental health training offered through FCCBH. “Kris Uselton and I conduct a training called Mental Health First-Aid,” said Snipes. “In that training we talk about menHEROES
Eric Snipes tal health issues and concerns, as well as, address issues concerning the stigma aspect of the disease.” Snipes added, “We’ve trained in the neighborhood of 400 people. That’s a positive. I believe the stigma towards mental health is getting better.” Snipes informed that his role consists of him working specifically with police officers. “They are some of the finest men and women I’ve ever worked with in my life,” he said. As a Community Mental Health Liaison Snipes works with law enforcement and the courts to link people that have behavioral health needs into treatment. “That’s our ultimate goal,” said Snipes. “If there’s a mental health issue law enforcement are the first ones on the scene. They wanted someone to be a resource and a help to them when they’re dealing with this stuff. We assist with that.” “Sometimes it’s just a phone call,” said Snipes. “Not everything is a level ten crisis.” Snipes had high praise for the CIT (Crisis Intervention Training). “This will be our third year presenting this training which we developed at FCCBH,” informed Snipes. “It’s for law enforcement, first responders, sheriff’s deputies, and highway patrol.” Snipes continued, “We offer once a year a 40 hour training. It’s all about mental health. We’ll discuss things like the juvenile justice system, how to deal with the elderly population, and the basics of mental health. We also have a section
2021
See SNIPES page 15 13
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Snipes From Page Thirteen on autism.” “They are then trained to deal with folks with mental health issues,” he said. “I’m the most proud of that.” Speaking about FCC Behavioral Health Snipes stated,
“I’m a fan. They’re good to people. It’s amazing the things we do in a rural area to help people maintain their stability and maintain their recovery.” Snipes is married to wife, Kristy, and they have two sons, Jess, 11, and Jensen, 14. As far as his career with FCCBH goes Snipes concluded, “I stumbled into it. I don’t have any plans to do anything else. This is me.” “This is my calling” he said.
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