As trial nears, foundation for Hermann police officer killed during arrest continues growth
UNION, Mo. (KMIZ)
Angela Koepke doesn't see much difference in the work the Mason Griffith Foundation does compared to what its namesake did.
"He was just always finding a way to do exactly what the foundation is doing," Koepke, the foundation's director of daily operations, said. "If somebody needed something, he would find a way to get it donated and give it to that person. Basically, the foundation is just carrying on what he would normally be doing."
Koepke was Griffith's mother-in-law and helped start the foundation in the late Hermann police sergeant's name following his death in March 2023. Kenneth Simpson is suspected of killing Griffith and wounding Officer Adam Sullentrup as the two tried to arrest Simpson on outstanding warrants at the Casey's store in Hermann.
Simpson is set to go to trial Tuesday, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty in a case set to go three weeks long in Franklin County.
Since the shooting, Koepke said the foundation has raised $450,000 to help more than 50 families of first responders across the region between St. Louis and Columbia. That included help for former Boone County assistant fire chief Matt Tobben, who drowned during a water rescue in Columbia, and Osage Beach police officer Phylicia Carson, who died during a car chase with a suspect in 2024.
Koepke said she wants the foundation to be a continuing presence in the lives of first responder families who lose a loved one. She said Griffith would often try to help people long after their immediate need was over. Kopeke hopes the foundation can model that behavior in the future.
Koepke and foundation Vice President James Bartle said they hope to expand the foundation's work more permanently into Mid-Missouri. That includes establishing a board of directors for the region of about five people with knowledge of the first responder community.
The two said the foundation would take a "back seat" in its work as the trial commences. Koepke said the family is preparing for the weeks ahead, and asked the community for grace and to reserve comments and judgment as the trial begins.
"We just want to let the justice system to do what it needs to do," Koepke said.
A jury from Greene County, about 180 miles southwest of where the trial is taking place, will ultimately judge Simpson and the case. If the jury finds Simpson guilty of first-degree murder, the panel will then consider a death sentence or life in prison without parole.
Judge Craig Hellmann has placed several rules on courtroom behavior and crowd limitations. Law enforcement officers not testifying as part of the case are not allowed to wear their uniforms in the main courtroom. No video cameras or other recording devices are allowed in the courthouse during the trial.
