Funeral for Hermann officer killed in line of duty held Sunday
OWENSVILLE, Mo. (KMIZ)
Community members gathered at Ownensville High School Sunday for a funeral held for Sgt. Mason Griffith, who is one of two officers that was shot in Hermann last Sunday. Hundreds of police vehicles filled the school's parking lot leading up to the service.
The second officer, Adam Sullentrup, at last check was in critical but stable condition at a St.Louis hospital, according to Missouri Highway Patrol.
“That’s what I believe Mason was put on this Earth to do,” Hermann Police Chief Marlon Walker said during the service. “He knew at a young age that was his calling- to serve and protect. And that’s what he did every day, with great honor and integrity.”
Public visitation for those looking to pay their respects to Sgt. Griffith started at 9:00 a.m. Sunday and went until 2:00 p.m. at Owensville High School. The funeral followed behind, the full service can be viewed here.
Afterwards, a procession featuring hundreds of police cars and first responder vehicles moved from the high school to Rosebud, MO. Traveling down Highway 19 to Highway 28, community members lined the roads holding flags. One person told ABC 17, "these things just don't happen in a small town."
During the procession, the casket of the fallen officer was transferred to a horse-drawn military wagon. It passed beneath a large American flag hanging from a fire truck before ending at the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Rosebud. Griffith was laid to rest with a 21 gun salute.
According to Griffith's Obituary, he is survived by multiple family members including his two sons and wife Jennifer.
According to MSHP, Griffith and Sullentrup responded to Casey's General Store near Market Street on Sunday around 9:00 p.m. in an attempt to arrest Kenneth Lee Simpson for warrants in multiple counties.
The highway patrol says an altercation took place and Griffith and Sullentrup were shot.
A vigil was held Friday at Owensville High School to honor both officers.
