Hermann community raises funds for $50,000 mural honoring Sgt. Mason Griffith
HERMANN, Mo. (KMIZ)
More than three years after a Hermann Police Sergeant was shot and killed in the line of duty, his community is working to ensure his legacy and other first responders' lives on.
In June, a jury sentenced Kenneth Simpson to death after convicting him of first-degree murder in Sgt. Mason Griffith's killing. Now, community members are shifting their focus from the courtroom to remembrance.
The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation hosted a fundraiser Sunday to help pay for a permanent mural honoring the fallen officer.
On March 12, 2023, investigators said Simpson shot Sgt. Mason Griffith and Officer Adam Sullentrop just 15 seconds apart at a Casey's convenience store in Hermann.
Hermann Police Chief Marlon Walker recalls the night he will never forget.
"I was just sitting at home and got the phone call that shots had been fired, not knowing if my officers had been struck or not," Walker said. "I responded here as fast as I could and walked in, seeing my officers being injured. So it was a very stressful night. "
Griffith was killed. Sullentrop survived but suffered life-threatening injuries that continue to affect him today.
"He was unfortunately shot in the head that night, so severe brain trauma that night," Hermann Police Chief Marlon Walker said. "It's changed his life forever. He won't ever be the same and has to have 24-hour care and cannot be alone."
Walker said Sullentrop has made significant progress since the shooting but continues to face lasting challenges.
Angela Koepke, the foundation's daily operations manager, said the night was unforgettable.
"It's a quiet little town, a close-knit community," Koepke said. "I remember that night because I responded well, coming down the hill and just feeling that feeling, the sadness and all the lights flashing and everything. Since then, it's still talked about daily."
More than a month after Simpson received the death penalty, the foundation said it is now focused on creating a lasting tribute for the community.
The planned mural will cover a 3,000-square-foot wall and cost about $50,000, according to Angela Koepke, the foundation's daily operations manager. About $40,000 will go toward the artwork, with another $10,000 covering lighting and other features.
The foundation hoped to raise about $23,000 during Sunday's fundraiser to fully fund the project. Even if that goal isn't met, organizers said the process will still move forward.
"I went out on faith, and I scheduled him to start in October," Koepke said. "So that's what we're going to do."
Casey's is helping make the memorial possible.
The company has already donated $10,000 toward the project and matched donations made during Sunday's fundraiser, up to an additional $5,000.
"To help kick-start it again, we committed to another dollar-for-dollar match, up to $5,000 for today's event," Casey's General Manager Gary Anthony said.
Anthony said after the shooting, the Casey’s location temporarily closed, and the company provided support and resources to the employees who were working that night.
Artist Ray Harvey, who will paint the mural, said the project is expected to take about a month to complete, although weather could affect the timeline.
People interested in supporting the project can donate here.
