Governor’s office orders flags to be at half-staff Sunday for fallen Hermann officer
Watch a live stream of the vigil in the web player above.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe ordered the United States and Missouri flags to be flown at half-staff at all government building in the state Sunday in honor Hermann Police Sgt. Mason Griffith.
Kehoe is the acting governor of Missouri while Gov. Mike Parson is overseas for an international trade mission.
Griffith, 34 – who was also the police chief in Rosebud -- was shot-and-killed Sunday night. A vigil will be held Friday night in Hermann. Officer Adam Sullentrup was also shot but was stable at a St. Louis Hospital after.
Visitation and funeral services for Griffith will be this Sunday at Owensville High School, according to his online obituary. Visitation is set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday at Owensville High School, with services following. The burial will be at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Rosebud.
“From boyhood, Mason Griffith dreamed of being a police officer, and Gasconade County and Missouri are better off today because he fulfilled his dream,” Parson said in a press release. “Sadly, only after his tragic, senseless death are we coming to understand the full extent of Griffith’s selfless commitment to public service: aided citizens at all hours, strengthened law enforcement through training, and always prioritized service to his fellow man. Mason Griffith’s death is a reminder of the countless good deeds our law enforcement officers routinely perform each day. His time with us was much too short, but we will always remain grateful to him and his family for their sacrifice.”
A fund has been set up for the officers and their families at Peoples Savings Bank in Hermann.
The man accused of killing Griffith, Kenneth Lee Simpson, 35, was arrested Monday following a standoff. Simpson is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, first-degree assault and illegal gun possession, all felonies. Simpson pleaded not guilty Wednesday at the Gasconade County Courthouse.
The Missouri Attorney General's Office was appointed as the special prosecutor on Friday. Simpson's attorney filed a motion for a change of judge. The court date for Monday has been canceled.
